End-of-life University

Learn about a trilogy of documentary films that inform and inspire conversations about death, dying and the afterlife. My guest Johanna Lunn is an award-winning producer, director, and writer, who has crafted many compelling, entertaining, and profoundly thought-provoking programs during her 20+ years in the business. She is the director and producer of the When… Continue reading Ep. 442 When You Die Project: Raising Death Awareness with Johanna Lunn

Learn about a helpful new tool kit that’s not just for end-of-life doulas but can benefit anyone who cares for others at the end of life. My three guests this week, Diane Button, Gabby Elise Jimenez, and Angela Shook, are all end-of-life doulas who have teamed up to create a helpful guidebook for other doulas:… Continue reading Ep. 441 The Doula Took Kit: A Guide for EOL Doulas with Diane Button, Gabby Elise Jimenez, and Angela Shook

Enjoy this deep and soulful conversation with “The Griefwalker” Stephen Jenkinson. My guest Stephen Jenkinson is the author of the award-winning book Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul and the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School. He discusses the Nights of Grief and Mystery project, which he created with singer/songwriter… Continue reading Ep. 440 Nights of Grief and Mystery with Stephen Jenkinson

Learn how hospice chaplains can offer support to people who choose medical aid in dying. My guest Dr. Terri Daniel is an inter-spiritual hospice chaplain, end-of-life educator, and grief counselor, who is the author of four books on death, grief and the afterlife, and a frequent guest on the podcast. Today Terri and I talk about… Continue reading Ep. 439 Medical Aid in Dying: A Chaplain’s Perspective with Rev. Dr. Terri Daniel

Learn tips for choosing the best hospice and asking all the right questions. This week I welcome back my recurring guest Barbara Karnes RN, hospice nurse, author, speaker, thought leader and expert on end-of-life care. She is the author of ‘the little blue hospice book, Gone from My Sight and the recently published By Your Side: A Guide… Continue reading Ep. 438 How to Choose the Best Hospice for Your Loved One with Barbara Karnes RN

Learn what it actually means to “hold space” for others during times of challenge. My guest Amy Wright Glenn is a Kripalu Yoga teacher, birth and death doula, hospital chaplain, and prenatal yoga and wellness instructor. She is the founder of the Institute for the study of Birth, Breath, and Death, known for its teacher… Continue reading Ep. 437 Holding Space for Birth and Death with Amy Wright Glenn

In this special brief episode I’m bringing you an invitation from casting director Kim Clevenger to contact her about appearing in a new docuseries on grief and loss. She is looking for people experiencing grief over any type of loss who are willing to share their journey with others in this series. In the recording… Continue reading BONUS: Casting Call for Docuseries on Grief with Kim Clevenger

Find out what you may have missed in 2023 if you haven’t listened to every episode! In this solo episode I recap some of the episodes of this podcast that had the greatest impact on me personally and professionally! All of the interviews from 2023 were fantastic but if you missed any of these be… Continue reading Ep. 436 Highlights of 2023: The Best of the Best with Karen Wyatt MD

Learn how to create a home funeral ceremony that can honor and celebrate the life of a loved one. My guest for this interview from the archives is Jerrigrace Lyons, founder of Final Passages, where she offers training for death doulas and home funeral guides. She shares the beauty of a home funeral and describes… Continue reading Ep. 435 Home Funerals as an Option After Death with Jerrigrace Lyons

Learn how celebrants co-create ceremonies to help people navigate the milestones of life. My guest for this interview from the archives is Charlotte Eulette is the International Director of the non-profit educational organization Celebrant Foundation and Institute. The foundation certifies and trains people to become ritual experts who create ceremonies to mark milestones in life.… Continue reading Ep. 434 Life-Cycle Celebrants® and Ceremonies for Life’s Transitions with Charlotte Eulette

Learn about a unique medical practice that focuses on end-of-life issues for patients including medical aid in dying. My guest Dr. Bob Uslander is an emergency medicine physician whose career evolved toward caring for the elderly and those facing the end of their lives. He created a novel approach to end-of-life care called Empowered Endings… Continue reading Ep. 433 Medical Aid in Dying: A Physician’s Perspective with Dr. Bob Uslander

Learn how this animal communicator connects with animals before and after death and the lessons we can learn from our animal companions. My guest Danielle MacKinnon is an animal communicator who has been connecting intuitively with animals and pets for all of her life. She shares her experiences learning from animals and discovering that they… Continue reading Ep. 432 Soul Contracts Between Humans and Their Pets with Danielle MacKinnon

Learn about a service to create a beautiful “coffee table book” to preserve the cherished stories of a loved one. My guest Andrew Hall is the co-founder of “No Story Lost” – a service to help families capture their loved one’s stories and photos into a beautiful print memoir book. He’ll discuss the value of… Continue reading Ep. 431 “No Story Lost”: Preserving Meaning and Memories with Andrew Hall

Learn about a project to train organizations and employers to provide better support for their employees who are grieving. This week I’m hosting two guests who have teamed up to address the issue of bereavement in the workplace. Mekel Harris PhD is a licensed psychologist who specializes in coping and adjustment to acute and chronic… Continue reading Ep. 430 Workplace Bereavement: Education for Employers with Mekel Harris PhD and Janet Gwilliam-Wright

Learn how to bust through several common myths about hospice care that persist in our society. My recurring guest Barbara Karnes RN is back again in this episode to talk about the myths that still persist in our society around hospice care. She shares her own journey of grief after the recent death of her… Continue reading Ep. 429 Debunking Myths About Hospice Care with Barbara Karnes RN

Learn about Lewy Body Dementia, why it is difficult to diagnose, and the special challenges faced by caregivers. My guest Mary Lou Falcone has been an advocate for Lewy body dementia awareness since her dear husband Nicky Zann died of the disease in 2020. Mary Lou is internationally known as a classical music publicist who… Continue reading Ep. 428 Love and Loss as a Caregiver Dealing with Lewy Body Dementia with Mary Lou Falcone

Learn everything you need to know about various options for after-death care so you can make an informed choice for yourself or a loved one. My guest Seth Viddal is the Chief Executive Officer of The Natural Funeral, a trailblazing funeral home that stands as Colorado’s premier holistic and ecological funeral provider. Seth discusses in… Continue reading Ep. 427 “The Natural Funeral” – Options for Disposition After Death with Seth Viddal

Hear a phenomenal and miraculous story about how a hospice patient’s “letter to the world” ended up actually traveling around the world and is now the subject of a documentary short film. I have two guests this week joining me to talk about a documentary film that tells the story of a hospice patient named… Continue reading Ep. 426 “Dear Brandon”: A Legacy Letter to Change the World with Krystina Christiansen and Brenna Brooks

Learn how social model hospice homes are changing communities and improving end-of-life care for everyone and how you can start one where you live. My guest Kelley Scott has been caring for dying people throughout the 37 years of her nursing career. She is the founder and executive director of Clarehouse, a “social model” hospice… Continue reading Ep. 425 Omega Homes: Community Homes for Dying People with Kelley Scott RN

Learn why cultural humility and awareness of hidden bias are essential in reducing racial disparities in care at the end of life. My guest Dr. Kimberly Curseen is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Palliative Care. She is the director of Supportive and Palliative Care Outpatient Services for Emory Healthcare and helps provide physical, emotional,… Continue reading Ep. 424 Implicit Bias in End-of-Life Care with Kimberly Curseen MD