In this heartfelt episode, Jackson shares the profound journey of losing his younger sister, Lauren, when he was just 10 years old. Jackson reflects on the unique bond they had, with Lauren’s vibrant and fearless personality, and how her sudden death in a tragic bus accident forever changed his family. Jackson opens up about the complex emotions of being the oldest, becoming an only child, and later a big brother again. He also discusses how his family coped with grief and the unique challenges of sibling loss at a young age.
Throughout the episode, Jackson shares the evolution of his grief, from the initial stages to his adulthood, and how he continues to navigate it with grace and gentleness. He provides insights into the impact of grief on family dynamics, the complexity of forgiveness, and the importance of creating a community of support. Jackson also touches on his involvement in his family's organization, GrieveWell, which focuses on peer-to-peer support for those navigating loss.
In This Episode:
(0:00:24) - A Brother's Reflection on Sibling Loss: Jackson recalls his relationship with his younger sister, Lauren, and the impact her fearless nature had on his life.
(0:08:58) - The Day Everything Changed: Jackson recounts the tragic day Lauren passed away in a bus accident and the shock that followed.
(0:16:12) - Grief and Growth: Jackson reflects on how he and his family dealt with grief in the years following Lauren’s death and the dynamic shift when his younger brother was born.
(0:24:57) - Evolving Through Grief: The conversation dives into the lifelong process of grief and how Jackson has experienced it through different life milestones, including preparing for his upcoming wedding.
(0:40:00) - GrieveWell: A Community of Support: Jackson shares about GrieveWell, the nonprofit organization his family created to provide peer-to-peer grief support and its impact on those navigating loss.
This episode is sponsored by GrieveWell
More about GrieveWell:
GrieveWell is a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to building a supportive community that promotes healthy grieving and healing. Their mission is to help adults navigate their grief in a way that allows them to lead full, meaningful lives after loss.
Grief is a universal experience, yet many of the customs and traditions that once supported those in mourning have faded in today’s society. As a result, those grieving often feel isolated after the initial outpouring of support fades away, while their pain continues long after the funeral. Unresolved grief can take a serious toll, both emotionally and physically, but despite this, the majority of people—about 80%—never seek outside help.
GrieveWell’s One-to-One Peer Support, available to Michigan residents, offers compassionate, non-judgmental support to those in need. Their peer counselors, trained under the guidance of a licensed social worker, are individuals who have experienced grief themselves and are there to offer empathy and understanding to others. This program provides a safe space for grievers to connect and heal.
In addition to peer support, GrieveWell offers a range of educational webinars and creative healing workshops, many of which are hosted online to reach as many people as possible. Their website and social media platforms also provide a wealth of resources for both those grieving and those supporting someone through their grief. Best of all, GrieveWell is committed to making these services free of charge, understanding that the path to healing is a long and personal journey.
To join GrieveWell’s community of hope and healing, visit them at:
Website: https://www.grievewell.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grievewell/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grievewell_a2/
Twitter: https://x.com/grievewell?mx=2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grievewellannarbor
Connect with Jackson:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_stots/
Connect with Maya:
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/
Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survivingsiblingspodcast
Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod?lang=en
Website: https://www.thesurvivingsiblings.com/
Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thesurvivingsiblingspodcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast
