What if laughter is one of the ways we survive loss?

In Episode 2 of the Team Jakey Podcast, Sam Zeller and Max Otten sit down with identical twins Matt and Mark Rudloff for a real, funny, and sometimes heavy conversation about grief, family, loss, twin life, mental health, and the unexpected ways humor can help us cope.

This episode kicks off Coping Mechanisms, a Team Jakey series exploring how real people navigate life’s hardest moments. From hilarious twin stories to deeply personal conversations about losing loved ones, this episode is a reminder that there is no single way to grieve — and sometimes, laughter can exist right alongside the pain.

We talk about Jake, the unique bond between twins, family loss, finding your people, and why connection matters so much when life gets hard.

This episode includes discussions of suicide, grief, loss, and mental health. Please take care of yourself while listening.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for support.

00:00 — Content Warning 01:00 — Welcome to Coping Mechanisms 03:00 — Meet Matt & Mark 07:45 — Grief & Finding Humor 17:10 — Growing Up Twins 24:15 — Twin Stories & Jake 31:10 — Losing Your Twin 37:00 — Humor as a Coping Mechanism 40:00 — Jake’s Legacy & Team Jakey 1:20:00 — Connection & Finding Your People 1:41:00 — Final Thoughts

Learn more, support Team Jakey, find resources, volunteer, and get involved at teamjakey.org.

Podcast production and brand design by Carrogan Studios.

Music by Facing Infamy.

Your mental health matters. 988 is here to help. Learn more, support, and get involved at teamjakey.org

Join Team Jakey Executive Director Logan Janis for a special Team Jakey Podcast business update. Learn about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, community partnerships, sponsorships, and how Team Jakey is working to bridge the gap to mental health resources across the St. Louis region.

In this episode:

• Taps for Team Jakey at Rockwell Beer Company
• Foodies Eat First Festival
• Team Jakey Fest 2026
• Volunteer opportunities
• Sponsorship updates
• Mental health resources and community impact

Whether you're looking to volunteer, become a sponsor, attend an event, or simply learn more about our mission, we'd love to have you join us.

🌐 Learn more, volunteer, donate, or purchase event tickets at teamjakey.org

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime, 24/7.

👍 Like • 💙 Subscribe • 🔔 Share to help us end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Your mental health matters. You're not alone. 988 is here to help. Visit teamjakey.org.

Team Jakey Foundation Makes Comic Book History with Unparalleled Fate Comics Collaboration

Team Jakey Foundation is stepping into the world of superheroes! 🦸📚

In this special announcement from Mostly Superheroes, we reveal the first-ever comic book feature for Team Jakey Foundation with our friends at Unparalleled Fate Comics.

This incredible cover artwork represents the mission of Team Jakey — ending the stigma around mental health and reminding people that everyone deserves support, connection, and hope. The powerful image of a hero reaching out to someone in need perfectly captures the message behind this collaboration.

The Unparalleled Fate Comics Kickstarter is live now, and we are excited to be part of this incredible project bringing together comics, creativity, and mental health advocacy.

Join Mostly Superheroes and Team Jakey at the Unparalleled Fate Comics Kickstarter Launch Party on Saturday, July 11th from 11 AM–2 PM at Endless Comics & Games in St. Charles, Missouri.

Meet the creators, see the artwork, support the Kickstarter, talk comics, share what you’ve been watching, and hang out with the Mostly Superheroes and Team Jakey crews. There will even be an ice cream vendor joining the fun!

Thank you to Thomas Moran, the entire Unparalleled Fate Comics team, and everyone involved for helping share this important message through the power of storytelling.

Learn more at teamjakey.org

Welcome to the very first episode of the Team Jakey Podcast.

Hosts Sam Zeller and Max Otten, joined by Team Jakey Executive Director Logan Janis, introduce the podcast, share the story behind Team Jakey, and explain why honest conversations about mental health matter.

After losing his twin brother Jake to suicide in 2013, Sam and his family chose to confront stigma head-on by telling the truth about their loss and creating what would become Team Jakey. More than a decade later, Team Jakey has grown into a mental health nonprofit dedicated to education, awareness, resources, and community support.

In this episode, the team discusses grief, suicide loss, stigma, coping mechanisms, and why there is no single "right way" to heal. They also talk openly about the role humor has played in their own journeys and why difficult conversations can help people feel less alone.

Whether you're here because of your own experiences, to support someone you care about, or simply to better understand mental health, we're glad you're here.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Content Warning & Podcast Disclaimer

01:00 – Welcome to the Team Jakey Podcast

05:15 – The Suicide Loss That Started Team Jakey

06:35 – From Fundraiser to Mental Health Nonprofit

13:20 – Why Silence Fuels Stigma

14:35 – What This Podcast Is Really About

15:55 – There Is No Right Way to Grieve

16:30 – The Story That Sparked a Conversation About Coping

20:45 – Humor, Grief, and Mental Health

32:40 – Future Episodes, Therapists & Mental Health Resources

34:00 – Building Connections to Local and National Support

38:00 – Staying True to the Mission

49:00 – Reflections, Community & Looking Ahead

ABOUT THE TEAM JAKEY PODCAST

The Team Jakey Podcast features real conversations about mental health, grief, resilience, suicide prevention, and the experiences that shape us. Through stories, expert guests, community leaders, advocates, and occasional dark humor, our goal is to reduce stigma, increase understanding, and help people feel less alone.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, mental health treatment, crisis counseling, or a substitute for professional care.

The conversations on this podcast may include discussions of mental health, suicide, grief, trauma, and loss. Because our hosts have experienced significant personal loss, some conversations may include humor as a coping mechanism. Our intent is never to minimize anyone's experience, but rather to create honest conversations that encourage connection, understanding, and support.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, mental health professional, local emergency services, or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

RESOURCES & GET INVOLVED

Learn more about Team Jakey, find mental health resources, support our mission, volunteer, attend events, or sign up to get involved:

TeamJakey.org

Together, we can end the stigma surrounding mental health—because we're always better together.

Join us for Team Jakey Fest! teamjakey.org

More teamjakey.org

May 21st’s Taps for Team Jakey at 4 Hands features live music and mental health resources. Enter to win St. Louis BattleHawks & Saint Louis City SC tickets!

www.teamjakey.org

City Wide turns 10 — and it’s already raised over $450,000 for local nonprofits.

Now through the end of May, every City Wide you order at Alamo Drafthouse St. Louis helps support Team Jakey Foundation.

Learn more: www.teamjakey.org