She Lost Two Brothers. She Chose to Live in Color

Would love to hear your thoughts!CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses 9/11, sudden loss, and suicide.September 11, 2026 marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and this is one of the heaviest conversations I've had on Unscripted Turbulence.My guest, Anthoula Katsimatides, lost her older brother John, who was working in the North Tower of the World Trade Center that day. But to understand Anthoula's story, we have to go back further. Two years before 9/11, she lost her youngest brother to suicide.Anthoula takes us inside what happens to a family after a suicide loss: the questions, the guilt, the endless WHYs, and how grief caused her to lose pieces of herself along the way. We also talk about her Greek upbringing (a culture I know well since marrying into it), the help she finally reached out for, the help she learned to accept, and how she slowly began rebuilding her life.Then came September 11.Today, Anthoula serves on the Board of Trustees for the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, helping preserve the memory of those killed that day, including John, and carrying forward the advice she was given before he died: LIVE YOUR LIFE IN COLOR.After unimaginable loss, Anthoula did.Fair warning: this episode is heavy. But it comes with a promise too. You are never alone. Ask for help. Accept it. It does get better, and life becomes colorful again.More on Anthoula, CLICK HEREIf you or someone you know is struggling, Anthoula wants you to have access to what helped her: CLICK HEREIf you're remembering someone you lost on 9/11, she's keeping you in her prayers, and she encourages you to visit if you haven't yet: CLICK HEREIf you are in crisis, call or text 988.Support the showNew Episodes Take Off Wednesdays!Follow for life beyond the podcast: Newsletter | Instagram | FacebookWatch the video version: YouTube