After the Unthinkable

"How do you move forward when the world as you knew it has ended?" This week, we sit down for an incredibly brave conversation with Sarah and Jessica. We are meeting them in a tender moment: just one week after the one-year anniversary of the death of Sarah’s son, Riley, who died by suicide. In this episode, we explore what life looks like after the unthinkable. Sarah and Jessica share the reality of the "year of firsts" and address one of the most difficult aspects of their journey: the fact that there were no signs. We move beyond the tragedy to honour who Riley was, focusing on his personality, his light, and the enduring love of the family he left behind. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the importance of celebrating Riley’s life beyond his final moments and the raw confusion that comes when a loss occurs without visible warnings. We explore what it feels like to cross the one-year anniversary threshold and how the sisters are turning their pain into a legacy of advocacy. This episode is a lighthouse for anyone navigating their own "unthinkable" or for those who want to understand how to better show up for the people they love. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 anytime from anywhere in Canada. This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Your story is not over.

Episode 36 of the Awareness with Rob Daniels podcast, hosted by Rob Daniels, titled "After the Unthinkable" was published on February 9, 2026 and runs 46 minutes.

February 9, 2026 ·46m · Awareness with Rob Daniels

Summary

"How do you move forward when the world as you knew it has ended?" This week, we sit down for an incredibly brave conversation with Sarah and Jessica. We are meeting them in a tender moment: just one week after the one-year anniversary of the death of Sarah’s son, Riley, who died by suicide. In this episode, we explore what life looks like after the unthinkable. Sarah and Jessica share the reality of the "year of firsts" and address one of the most difficult aspects of their journey: the fact that there were no signs. We move beyond the tragedy to honour who Riley was, focusing on his personality, his light, and the enduring love of the family he left behind. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the importance of celebrating Riley’s life beyond his final moments and the raw confusion that comes when a loss occurs without visible warnings. We explore what it feels like to cross the one-year anniversary threshold and how the sisters are turning their pain into a legacy of advocacy. This episode is a lighthouse for anyone navigating their own "unthinkable" or for those who want to understand how to better show up for the people they love. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You can call or text 988 anytime from anywhere in Canada. This service is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Your story is not over.

Episode Description