CLASSICS REVISITED: An Interview with Guest Jaclyn Brown: Part 2CLASSICS REVISITED: An Interview with Guest Jaclyn Brown: Part 2
Coming Up for Air — Families Speak to Families about Addiction
Jaclyn Brown shares her experience of sibling grief after losing her brother to addiction, especially around the strain of holidays and family expectations. The hosts and Jaclyn talk about over-functioning, people-pleasing and the importance of boundaries, check-ins and making space for a sibling’s ongoing pain.
25:00•7 Nov 2026
Jaclyn Brown on Sibling Grief, Holidays and Finally Saying No
Episode Overview
- Siblings can feel unseen after a death, as attention often stays on parents and the child who struggled.
- Simple check-ins, especially on significant dates and holidays, can mean more than grand gestures.
- Giving grieving siblings flexibility and not pressuring them to attend events helps protect their emotional energy.
- Talking about the person who died, including their favourite traditions, can bring comfort rather than harm when done with care.
- Learning to say no without lengthy explanations is a key step for chronic people-pleasers and over-functioners in protecting their wellbeing.
“I need to be able to not be reliable because my whole life, if you're a big sister, any big sister out there, you are the planner. You are the one who takes care of everyone.”
Curious about how others manage their grief while still trying to hold a family together? This conversation with guest Jaclyn (Jacqueline) Brown takes you right into that tension, especially for siblings who are so often overlooked when addiction takes a life. Jaclyn shares how, after her brother’s death, all eyes stayed on her parents: people kept asking, “How are your parents doing?” while she quietly carried her own grief and the pressure of being the responsible big sister.
She and her sister planned the funeral on no sleep, pushed through ruined holidays, and tried to keep old traditions going, even when it felt unbearable. As she puts it, “I need to be able to not be reliable because my whole life… you are the planner.
You are the one who takes care of everyone.” Hosts Dominique Simone Levine, Laurie McDougall and Kayla Solomon gently tease out what it means to be an “over-functioner” in a family shaken by addiction and loss. The talk leans into very practical questions: what does a grieving sibling actually need during the holidays? How can friends and family support without piling on more emotional labour?
Jaclyn talks about simple but powerful gestures: a quick message on the anniversary of her brother’s death, flexible expectations around social plans, and people being willing to say his name and ask about his favourite parts of Christmas or Thanksgiving. She also describes learning to say no, set boundaries, and stop over-explaining every decision, even when that means some people feel let down. This episode speaks directly to siblings, over-functioners and long-time people-pleasers who are tired of carrying everything alone.
It also gives parents and loved ones a rare glimpse into what their “strong” child might be quietly shouldering. If you’ve ever wondered, “But what about me?” while supporting someone else, this one might hit home in the best possible way.
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