In this episode of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler sits down to share the full story behind her newest business venture, Find A Co-Host.

This is a behind-the-scenes look at how a real business comes to life. From a late-night idea during the pandemic to a fully launched platform, Maya walks through the evolution of Find A Co-Host, the challenges she faced, what didn't work, and how she ultimately brought her vision to life.

Maya opens up about her own podcasting journey, including why having a co-host mattered so much in the beginning, the frustration of trying to find the right match, and the gap she saw in the market that no one else was solving.

This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. There's no filter. Maya shares the real entrepreneurial process, from buying the domain on a gut instinct, to testing a scrappy version of the idea, to walking away from the wrong team, and finally building a platform that reflects the experience she wished existed.

She walks through the realities of building something from scratch, what it means to validate an idea, and why timing, patience, and persistence matter more than rushing to launch.

This episode is especially powerful for entrepreneurs, creators, and podcasters who have an idea they can't shake and are trying to figure out how to turn it into something real.

Because sometimes the best businesses don't start with a perfect plan, they start with a problem you've personally experienced and refuse to ignore.



What You'll Hear in This Episode

 * The origin story of Find A Co-Host and the "COVID thought" that sparked the idea

 * Maya's early podcasting journey and why having a co-host mattered so much

 * The frustration of trying to find a co-host through Facebook groups and forums

 * How Maya validated the idea with a simple, low-cost MVP (minimum viable product)

 * What worked (and didn't) in the first version of the business

 * Why "white glove" matching wasn't scalable and what needed to change

 * The decision to pivot toward a tech-enabled, marketplace-style platform

 * Lessons learned from working with the wrong development team

 * How Maya rebuilt the platform with the right designer and vision

 * The three core roles on Find A Co-Host: host, co-host, and guest

 * Why podcasting needs a safer, more intentional way to connect

 * The importance of creating real, vetted connections instead of random outreach

 * How the platform is designed to feel like a "dating app for podcasters"

 * Why organic growth and community-driven referrals are key in early stages

 * The power of timing in entrepreneurship and trusting the process

This episode is sponsored by Find A Co-Host

Connect with MaYapinion®

Podcast Website:

151 - Find A Co-Host

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 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

Kara Loses Brandon To  Emphysema

In this episode of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler sits down with Kate Juozaitis, founder of Lift As You Climb Coaching, to tackle one of the most complex and emotionally charged challenges entrepreneurs face: transitioning out of what's familiar and into what truly aligns with their purpose.

Kate shares her powerful and unconventional journey, from her background as a firefighter, EMT, and clinician to building a coaching business designed to support high-level leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs navigating burnout, identity loss, and major life transitions. With over 20 years of experience in mental health and human behavior, Kate brings a unique lens to coaching that blends clinical insight with real-world leadership challenges.

This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. Maya doesn't just listen; she gives her honest, strategic take on what it really takes to step away from a long-standing business, why "having one foot in and one foot out" keeps founders stuck, and how to create a clear, actionable exit plan without burning everything to the ground.

Together, they walk through the emotional and operational side of transition, including identity shifts, financial fears, leadership responsibility, and the reality of outgrowing something you once built your life around. Maya also lays out a tangible path forward for Kate, including revenue targets, timeline planning, team restructuring, and how to confidently move into her next chapter.

This episode is especially powerful for entrepreneurs, service-based business owners, and leaders who feel pulled toward something bigger but are struggling to let go of what they've already built.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

 * Kate's journey from firefighter and clinician to purpose-driven coach

 * How early life experiences shaped her identity as someone who "runs in when others run out"

 * The reality of burnout among high-performing leaders and entrepreneurs

 * Why so many successful people still feel lost, stuck, or disconnected from their purpose

 * The emotional weight of holding onto a business that no longer aligns What it means to have "one foot in and one foot out" as an entrepreneur

 * Maya's MaYapinion® on setting clear revenue goals to create a responsible exit plan

 * How to determine the minimum income needed to confidently transition Why cutting overhead and restructuring your business is often the first step

 * The importance of honest conversations with your team during transition

 * How to shift from clinician-based work into scalable coaching

 * Why identity, not strategy, is often the biggest blocker in growth

 * How to build a timeline for leaving one business and fully stepping into another

 * Why purpose-driven work requires clarity, courage, and decisive action

 * The difference between burning it all down… and transitioning with intention

This episode is sponsored by Lift as You Climb Coaching

Connect with Kate Ju

150 - Transition Into Your Purpose With Kate, Lift as You Climb Coaching

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 family life was full of connection, neighborhood friendships, and what felt like a normal, loving upbringing.

But early on, their story took a different path.

When Joey was just a toddler, subtle signs led to a life-changing diagnosis: Marfan Syndrome, a rare genetic connective tissue disorder that would go on to impact not only Joey, but their father and sister as well.

Teri shares what it was like growing up in a family navigating a condition few people understood at the time—doctor visits, unknowns, and the quiet weight of knowing that life could look different for the people she loved most.

Still, Joey was more than his diagnosis.

He was tall, eventually reaching seven feet, funny, annoying in all the "little brother" ways, and someone Teri grew closer to as they entered adulthood. Just as their relationship was deepening into something new, everything changed.

In May 2008, Joey died suddenly in his sleep at just 22 years old.

The loss was completely unexpected.

And even more complicated… it happened just three weeks before Teri's wedding.

Teri shares the unimaginable reality of those weeks—receiving the phone call at work, the shock of not being able to reach her family, and the moment her father told her Joey was gone. She walks us through the early days of grief layered with urgency, milestones, and pressure to move forward, including planning a wedding while mourning her brother.

She opens up about walking down the same aisle where she had just walked behind Joey's casket… now as a bride.

About honoring him in quiet, meaningful ways. About holding grief and joy in the same space.

And about how that experience reshaped everything she thought she knew about life.

This episode also brings powerful awareness to Marfan Syndrome—what it is, how it impacts the body, and why education and early diagnosis matter.

As the conversation unfolds, Teri shares how her relationship with Joey didn't end—it transformed. Through healing, spirituality, and time, she's come to understand grief and joy as deeply connected experiences, not separate ones.

This episode is a reminder that loss doesn't just break us—it can deepen us.

That grief and joy can exist together. And that love doesn't end… even when life does.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Teri + Remembering Joey Teri introduces her family, her role as the oldest sibling, and her deep bond with her brother Joey.

(0:02:00) – Growing Up + Early Signs of Marfan Syndrome How Joey's diagnosis came to light and how it impacted the entire family.

(0:05:00) – A Family Diagnosis Learning that her father and sister also had Marfan Syndrome—and navigating the unknowns together.

(0:08:00) – The "Strong One" Role How Teri stepped into being the protector and advocate within her family.

(0:09:30) – Adulthood + Deepening the Sibling Bond Moving beyond childhood dynamics and beginning to build a closer adult relationship.

(0:15:00) – The Day Everything Changed The phone call, the unanswered calls, and the mome

Teri Loses Joey To Marfan Syndrome

In episode 149 of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler sits down with Laurelyn Ponders, founder of a PR and social media agency, to tackle one of the most common challenges service-based entrepreneurs face in the early stages of business: connecting with the right clients and turning conversations into paying contracts.

Laurelyn shares her journey from working in agencies and in-house brand communications to launching her own business, where she now helps brands amplify their voice through PR, content, and digital marketing. While she has strong experience and a clear skill set, she finds herself in a place many new founders hit—working with clients who pay the bills, but not yet fully aligned with the creative, dream clients she wants to serve.

This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. Maya doesn't just listen; she gives her honest, strategic take on why Laurelyn is getting interest but not closing, what's missing in her client acquisition process, and how founders often overcomplicate visibility instead of focusing on connection.

Together, they break down the difference between corporate-style outreach and relationship-driven sales, why personalization is the key to standing out in a saturated market, and how to shift from "trying to get clients" to intentionally building trust with the exact people you want to work with. Maya also shares a tactical approach to lead generation, networking, and outreach that allows Laurelyn to position herself as the obvious choice for her dream clients—without sounding automated, transactional, or forced.

This episode is especially powerful for service-based entrepreneurs, creatives, and early-stage agency owners who know they're good at what they do… but are struggling to consistently attract and convert aligned, high-quality clients.



What You'll Hear in This Episode

 * Laurelyn's journey from agency and in-house marketing roles to launching her own PR and social media business

 * The difference between "pay-the-bills clients" and true dream clients

 * Why working with misaligned clients can stall growth and motivation

 * The challenge of building authority and credibility as a newer business owner

 * Why getting on calls doesn't mean you've "closed" the sale

 * The gap between starting conversations and actually converting clients

 * Why corporate-style outreach doesn't work for creative, relationship-driven industries

 * The importance of personalization in standing out in a saturated digital space

 * How to position your services around the client's problem—not your offer

 * Why networking is still one of the most powerful tools for service-based businesses

 * A step-by-step approach to building a targeted, personalized lead list

 * How to use email outreach strategically without sounding automated or spammy

 * The mindset shift required to confidently sell your services

 * Why consistency in outreach and

149 - Connecting With Your Ideal Client with Laurelyn Ponders

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, competing in sports, and later maintaining a close relationship into adulthood through what she lovingly calls their "sibling dates." Garrett was her biggest champion, the voice that reminded her who she was when she doubted herself.

That bond makes what happened next even more devastating.

In November 2009, just one month after a meaningful late-night conversation where Heather reminded Garrett she would love him no matter what, her world shattered. Garrett died suddenly from an accidental overdose after unknowingly taking methadone in combination with other substances. The loss was shocking, confusing, and layered with complicated emotions, especially as the family tried to make sense of what had happened in real time.

Heather shares the raw early days of grief—the shock, the numbness, the need to "do something" (even if that meant cutting out holiday apron patterns just to keep moving), and the surreal experience of planning a memorial while still trying to process the reality that her brother was gone.

What followed was years of unprocessed grief, anger, and searching for support that didn't exist in the way she needed. After multiple frustrating experiences trying to find a therapist who truly understood grief, Heather made a life-changing decision: she would become the therapist she couldn't find.

This episode is a powerful reminder that grief is not something to "get over," but something to live with, integrate, and carry forward—and that healing happens not by rushing the process, but by allowing grief to take up space in our lives.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Heather + Remembering Garrett Heather shares her childhood, growing up close with her younger brother, and the deep bond they carried into adulthood.

(0:02:30) – Growing Up in Nature + A Strong Sibling Bond From building forts in the woods to sibling dates in college, Heather reflects on their connection and Garrett's role as her biggest supporter.

(0:08:30) – The Conversation A late-night moment one month before Garrett's death becomes a memory Heather carries with her forever.

(0:10:00) – The Day Everything Changed Heather describes the moment her parents showed up at her office and how she learned Garrett had died unexpectedly.

(0:13:00) – Understanding What Happened The family learns Garrett died from an accidental overdose, adding layers of confusion, anger, and heartbreak.

(0:16:00) – Shock, Numbness, and "Doing Something" Heather shares how early grief felt—and why simple tasks like making aprons became a way to cope.

(0:20:00) – The Memorial + Early Grief Reactions Planning Garrett's service, wanting more photos, and navigating overwhelming emotions.

(0:22:00) – Finding a "Grief Buddy" Heather reflects on how connecting with someone else grieving helped her feel less alone.

(0:31:00) – The Importance of Finding the Right Therapist Why connection matters more than credentials—and how to know when it's not the right fit.

(0:36:00) – Grief as the "New Normal" Heather shares how she built her practice and podcast around redefining grief as something we integrate, not overcome.</

Heather Loses Garrett To Accidental Overdose

In episode 148 of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler sits down with Nicole Hoover, founder of Death Doula Nicole, to tackle one of the most overlooked (and often avoided) areas of life and business: how to build a meaningful, service-based business around end-of-life support while navigating visibility in a conversation most people aren't ready to have.

Nicole shares her deeply personal journey from a 20-year career in HR to becoming a death doula after losing both her aunt and her mother within a short period of time. Through caregiving, grief, and ultimately stepping away from corporate life, Nicole found herself called to work that aligns with her heart, supporting individuals and families through one of life's most sacred transitions.

This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. Maya doesn't just listen; she gives her honest, strategic take on why Nicole's work is so powerful, yet difficult to market in a society that avoids conversations around death, and what it actually takes to connect with the right people at the right time.

Together, they walk through how to build trust in sensitive spaces, the importance of community-based visibility, and how Nicole can shift from last-minute client inquiries to earlier, more impactful relationships with families. Maya also shares specific strategies for lead generation, local networking, and building virtual support communities that allow Nicole to expand her reach while staying aligned with her mission.

This episode is especially powerful for heart-centered entrepreneurs, service-based providers, and anyone building a business around deeply personal, emotional, or transformative life experiences. Building a business like this isn't about louder marketing. It's about deeper connection, trust, and showing up in the rooms where people need you most.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

 * Nicole's transition from a 20-year HR career to becoming a death doula

 * How losing both her aunt and mother led to her calling in end-of-life care

 * What a death doula is and how it compares to a birth doula

 * The emotional, logistical, and bedside support a death doula provides

 * Why end-of-life care is often avoided in the U.S. and how that impacts families

 * The challenge of being brought in too late and missing the opportunity for deeper support

 * The power of legacy work and helping families preserve stories and memories

 * Why community and early connection are essential for this type of service

 * Maya's MaYapinion® on building trust in sensitive, emotional industries

 * How to use Facebook groups and support communities to connect with the right audience

 * Why local networking with medical professionals can create strong referral pipelines

 * The opportunity to build virtual offerings and support groups for wider reach

 * How to position services in a way that feels supportive, not intrusive

 * Why visibility for heart-cente

148 - Growing a Local and Virtual Business Community with Death Doula, Nicole Hoover

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 year of high school, left for a party and never came home.

In a heartbreaking twist, Erica's father—who never missed work—left early that night with a bad feeling, took a different route home, and was the one who found TJ after the accident. What followed for Erica at just 14 years old was shock, trauma, and a blur of grief, surrounded by a community that showed up in full force, but without the tools to help her process what had happened.

Erica shares how her grief went largely unprocessed for years, leading to difficult choices in her teens and twenties, and how it wasn't until later in life, after becoming a mother that she sought therapy and began to truly heal. Today, as a social worker, Erica channels her experience into supporting others, carrying her brother's legacy forward through compassion and connection.

This episode is a powerful reminder that grief doesn't have a timeline, healing isn't linear, and the people who simply sit with us in our darkest moments can change everything.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Erica + Remembering TJ Erica introduces her story, her bond with TJ, and their unique family dynamic as adopted siblings.

(0:02:00) – A Big Brother, A Big Personality Erica shares what TJ was like growing up—funny, outgoing, athletic, and loved by everyone.

(0:04:00) – The Night Everything Changed A summer day with family turns into tragedy after TJ leaves for a party and never returns.

(0:05:30) – A Father's Instinct Erica recounts how her dad left work early with a bad feeling and found TJ at the accident scene.

(0:10:00) – Finding Out: "He's Dead" Erica describes waking up to her mother's screams and the traumatic moment she learned her brother was gone.

(0:11:30) – A High School Funeral + Community Support The overwhelming turnout at TJ's funeral and the role her friends played in simply sitting with her through the pain.

(0:15:00) – Understanding the Accident What Erica later learned about the crash, and the unanswered questions that remained.

(0:19:00) – Life After Loss at 14 How grief showed up in Erica's teenage years—through risk-taking, avoidance, and unprocessed trauma.

(0:22:00) – Healing Later in Life Erica shares how becoming a mother led her to therapy and a deeper commitment to healing.

(0:24:00) – Finding the Right Therapist Why connection matters in therapy—and how to know when you've found the right fit.

(0:27:00) – A Career Rooted in Compassion How Erica's life experiences led her into social work and supporting others through difficult circumstances.

(0:33:00) – Family Bonds After Loss How grief brought Erica and her parents closer—and what it looked like to grow together instead of apart.

(0:38:00) – Parenting After Loss Erica shares the fears and realities of raising teenage drivers after losing her brother in a car accident.

(0:41:00) – Advice for the Newly Bereaved Why there's no "right" way to grieve—and the importance of support, presence, and compassion.

This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®

Connect with Erica:

Erica Loses TJ To A Car Accident

In this episode of the MaYapinion® podcast, Maya Roffler sits down with Jackie Jansky, founder of Finder Binder, to tackle one of the most common challenges product-based founders face in the early stages of business: turning a product that works into consistent, predictable sales.

Jackie shares the powerful story behind Finder Binder, a mealtime tool she created after her premature twins struggled with feeding issues, sensory challenges, and food aversions following a long NICU stay. After working with nutritionists, therapists, and medical professionals, Jackie combined the strategies that worked into a simple system that helped her kids build balanced meals while giving them a sense of choice and control at the dinner table.

This episode is a true MaYapinion® conversation. Maya doesn't just listen; she gives her honest, strategic take on why Jackie's product resonates so strongly in person but struggles to gain traction online, and what founders often misunderstand about visibility, social media, and customer connection in the early stages of launching a product.

Together, they walk through the founder mindset, how to position a product around the problem it solves, and the difference between selling a product and offering a solution. Maya also shares specific strategies Jackie can use to build organic traction through community, social platforms, and connecting directly with the moms who need this product most.

This episode is especially powerful for product-based founders, mompreneurs, and early-stage entrepreneurs who know their product works but are struggling to move from occasional sales to consistent momentum.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

 * Jackie's story of creating Finder Binder after years of feeding challenges with her twins

 * How NICU complications, food aversions, and sensory issues inspired a new mealtime solution

 * Why giving kids controlled choice can transform stressful mealtimes

 * How Jackie built the first version of Finder Binder using Canva, printed cards, and a simple matching system

 * The different ways families are using Finder Binder today, including picky eaters, GI issues, and autism support

 * Why trade shows have worked well for Jackie and the limitations of relying on them for growth

 * The mindset shift from "selling a product" to solving a real problem for overwhelmed parents

 * Why moms are the core customer and how to speak directly to their daily frustrations

 * How founders can turn online communities into powerful organic marketing channels

 * Why TikTok can be a powerful platform for showing the product in action and connecting with real families

 * Why consistent content and storytelling can create momentum for product-based businesses

This episode is sponsored by Finder Binder

Connect with Jackie Jansky

Website: www.myfinderbinder.com [http://www.myfinderbinder.com/]

Instagram: https://www.ins [https://www.instagram.com/myfinderbinder?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

147 - Consistent Sales Challenges with Jackie Jansky, Finder Binder

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 help a young boy process loss.

A few years later, Gyani found his way into meditation, yoga, and wisdom traditions, an unexpected but life-changing shift that became a foundation for everything that followed. Decades later, after building a career in counseling and the corporate world, Gyani felt an internal nudge that it was time for a new chapter. Then came a loss that re-opened the "great beast of grief" in a fresh way: the death of his baby brother, Pete.

Gyani shares how Pete's cancer moved fast—from a melanoma diagnosis to death within roughly a year—and how helplessness, family dynamics, and the inability to "make people come to the grief table" became part of his grieving process. This conversation is a powerful reminder that grief is not a problem to solve, but an experience that asks to be witnessed—by others, and by ourselves—with compassion, patience, and attention.

In This Episode:

(0:00:00) – Meet Gyani + The Loss That Started It All Gyani introduces himself, shares that he works in the grief space, and reflects on losing his father to cancer at age 13.

(0:01:30) – Growing Up in a Family of Five Boys Gyani describes his family system, his place as the fourth of five brothers, and how grief impacted their "sports team" dynamic.

(0:03:30) – A Teenager Finds Meditation + Meaning Gyani shares how he found meditation, yoga, and wisdom traditions in high school—seeking something "deathless" after losing his dad.

(0:06:00) – Grief Doesn't Come With a Manual Maya and Gyani discuss how grief shapes you early, how people cope differently, and why many families lack the tools to process loss.

(0:10:00) – How Gyani Entered the Grief Space Professionally Gyani explains how his meditation practice and counseling training eventually converged—after years in the corporate world—into grief-focused work.

(0:12:30) – Asking "What's Next?" + Listening for the Answer Gyani shares his transition season, spending time in nature and intentionally seeking clarity for his next chapter.

(0:24:30) – Pete: "It's Powerful to Say His Name" Gyani introduces his brother Pete, their bond, growing up together, and why Pete was his "rock."

(0:26:00) – From Melanoma to Loss: A Fast Cancer Journey Gyani walks through Pete's diagnosis, how quickly it spread, and the shock of losing a healthy, vibrant brother.

(0:28:30) – Helplessness, Anger, and the Storm of Grief Gyani reflects on the layers of grief—including the raw helplessness that remains when you realize you can't change the outcome.

(0:30:00) – Family Dynamics: You Can't Drag People to the Grief Table Gyani and Maya discuss how differently siblings and families grieve—and the pain of wanting connection when others shut down.

(0:35:30) – Community as Medicine: Why Grief Must Be Witnessed Gyani shares why grief + isolation is a "double whammy," and how community helps thaw shame and soften the nervous system.

(0:43:30) – What Gyani's Grief Work Looks Like Today He shares how mindfulness-informed grief counseling helps people gently lean into grief, including working with the body ("issues are in the tissues").

(0:47:

Gyani Loses Pete To Cancer

This is a show where I share my journey about losing my brother. I realized after losing him in 2016 to a homicide and struggling for years after that there is little to no support for surviving siblings. We are expected to lose our parents and grandparents so naturally there are resources for those losses. When parents lose a child, that is one of the most tragic things that can happen and there are resources. But what happens to siblings? What happens to those of us who lose our brothers and sisters? We are deeply affected and impacted. Yet, hardly anyone talks about this topic. In the past five years, I have found half a dozen books and only one support group. I still miss my brother everyday. We don't expect to lose our siblings as we expect to go through life with them, not without them. This podcast is for you whether you have lost a brother or sister or if you are wanting to understand and support someone who has. I also dedicate this podcast to my brother, Andreas, as he was never afraid to speak his truth and tell his story. Now, I will be sharing my story of loss as a surviving sibling with you. I will also have incredible guests on the show to share their experiences as well. I hope this helps you and you know that you are not alone. XXX Surviving Siblings

The Surviving Siblings Podcast

Maya Roffler's Show

Welcome to The MaYapinion® Podcast - "Empowering Women, One Opinion at a Time." Maya Roffler is the host and founder of two podcasts, entrepreneur, owner and founder of MaYapinion® LLC, owner and founder of Find A Co-Host, and an investor. She spent over a decade in Corporate America, and she decided to leave to build her businesses. On the The MaYapinion® Podcast, Maya has shared various aspects of her life. The first launch and four seasons of the show were about her experience on reality tv in 2016 and 2017 while losing her brother to a homicide when he was only 27. She relaunched in 2019 as a show focusing on Leadership for Women.After 125 episodes of the leadership podcast, Maya has rebranded again to shift the focus to entrepreneurship. She made this decision as she has shared her corporate experience and leadership perspective since late 2019, and now, she knows it is time to evolve the show's focus to entrepreneurship as she is on her own entrepreneurial journey.We invite you to join Maya and her special guests on their journeys and listen to the entrepreneur podcast for women: MaYapinion® - "Empowering Women, One Opinion at a Time."

Maya Roffler

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