In the fall of 2022, David Illiatovitch-Owen, a 47-year-old Toronto resident battling pancreatic cancer, proposed an idea that would lead to a posthumous podcast series crafted by his sister, Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman. Despite his declining health and recent surgery, David suggested they start a podcast, a medium new to both siblings. What began as an offhand comment evolved into “My Brother David,” a 13-part series set to premiere on November 5 through iHeartPodcasts.
The series draws from hundreds of hours of recorded conversations between Sarah and David as he confronted his diagnosis and considered the legacy he would leave behind for his wife and two children. It is an intimate exploration of end-of-life planning, family dynamics, and the complexities of sibling relationships amid adversity. The podcast was also selected for a world premiere at the Tribeca Festival earlier this year.
Before his illness, the relationship between the siblings was fraught with tension. David, the elder by 11 years and their mother’s son from a previous marriage, pursued a career as a chef and entrepreneur, owning a Scotch bar and seafood stores in Toronto. Sarah, a playwright and former children’s camp director, described her brother as moderately social and political, while she identified as a left-leaning activist. Disagreements and personal grievances had driven them apart over the years, with Sarah mentioning instances of perceived disrespect and bigoted remarks from David.
However, David’s cancer diagnosis became a turning point. Sarah moved her family back to Toronto to be near him, and the families united to support his care. The podcast recordings took place twice weekly in David’s home office, capturing candid and often difficult conversations. While they initially clashed over the project's direction, Sarah’s experience in storytelling shaped the final format. In the course of recording, they reconnected and shared previously undisclosed aspects of their lives, including David’s complicated relationship with his biological father.
Though a full reconciliation remained elusive—Sarah acknowledged the presence of unresolved pain and the absence of a complete reckoning—the process allowed for a renewed closeness before David’s passing. After his death in 2023, Sarah devoted herself to editing and producing the series, with guidance from established podcasters including Julie Shapiro, a former executive producer of “Ear Hustle.”
The podcast aims to present an unvarnished portrayal of David: “Sometimes he’s eloquent, sometimes he’s crass, sometimes he’s angry, sometimes he breaks down,” Shapiro noted, underscoring his complexity. Sarah emphasized the importance of honesty, resisting the urge to soften difficult moments, even when it challenged the narrative she wished to tell.
For Sarah Illiatovitch-Goldman, the project has been both a form of tribute and a source of solace. She described the experience of hearing her brother’s voice as a form of consolation but acknowledged that her grieving process is ongoing and may deepen after the series’ release. “I can feel that there’s another side to this door,” she said, reflecting on the path ahead.