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 moment Teri learned Joey had died.

(0:18:00) – Sudden Loss + Searching for Answers Understanding Joey's passing and the connection to Marfan Syndrome.

(0:20:00) – Grief + Wedding Intertwined Navigating loss just three weeks before her wedding—and the pressure to move forward.

(0:23:00) – Honoring Joey Meaningful ways Teri included her brother in her wedding day.

(0:25:00) – Walking the Same Aisle The emotional weight of walking down the same aisle as both a grieving sister and a bride.

(0:28:00) – Grief + Joy Coexisting How loss reshaped her perspective and deepened her understanding of life.

(0:30:00) – Spiritual Connection + Signs How Teri experiences connection with Joey today, including meaningful signs and moments.

(0:40:00) – Family Dynamics After Loss How grief impacted her relationship with her sister and family—and what helped them stay close.

(0:50:00) – Being "The Strong One" What it really means—and how to release the pressure while still showing up with strength.

This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®

Connect with Teri:

Website: https://www.soulglowandalchemy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulglowandalchemy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teri.m.gosselin

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
Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com
Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast