Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss
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 interviewing over 70 siblings, including her own personal growth, struggles, healing, and mission.
This candid and vulnerable episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in grief, facing complex sibling loss, or wondering how to honor their loved one with grace, authenticity, and community.
In This Episode:
[00:00–03:00]Anniversary Reflections & Feeling the Weight of Year 10 Maya shares her emotions around approaching the 10-year anniversary of Andreas's death, the pressure that comes with milestones, and the peace she feels from honoring him every day.
[03:00–07:00]How Maya Stays Spiritually Connected to Andreas From sunflowers and champagne to nature walks and old episodes of The Office, Maya shares the personal rituals that bring her comfort and connection.
[07:00–12:00]Signs From Andreas & Spiritual Moments She talks about powerful signs—from sunflowers in strange places to her dog Bonnie—and the deep belief that our loved ones are always with us.
[12:00–17:00]Fear of Forgetting Their Voice Maya addresses a common fear among grieving siblings: "What if I forget what they sounded like?" She discusses how memory, dreams, and digital archives play a role.
[32:00–37:00]Holding Onto the Bond Without Feeling Stuck What does it really mean to "move forward" without "moving on"? Maya explains how honoring your sibling is healthy and how to combat the pressure of getting "unstuck."
[37:00–43:00]Parent Grief vs. Sibling Grief Maya addresses one of the most asked questions: "How do I grieve when I have to be strong for my parents?" She challenges grief hierarchy and gives permission to prioritize your healing.
[43:00–47:00]Does It Get Easier? Maya's Most Frequent Question Her honest answer: yes and no. Maya breaks down why grief evolves, how the pain shifts, and what healing can look like years later.
[53:00–58:00]Balancing Your Grief with Your Parents' Pain She dives into the invisible pressure placed on siblings to suppress their grief in favor of their parents—and why that has to change.
[58:00–1:03:00]The Surviving Siblings Summit: Goals & Vision Maya gives a behind-the-scenes look at the summit's evolution, why virtual events matter, and the future of this movement—including a possible retreat.
[1:03:00–1:12:00]The Power of Community & Friendship in Grief Chelsey and Maya close with reflections on their friendship, the healing power of this community, and why this show exists: to keep sibling stories alive.
Listen to the full episode of "Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss" now on all major platforms.
This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®
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