For most of history, conversations about death and the afterlife were left to religion and philosophy. But recent breakthroughs in neuroscience, hospice care, and consciousness research are bringing new evidence to the table.
And what they’re revealing will change everything. In this episode, hospice nurse and New York Times bestselling author Julie McFadden shares what she’s witnessed across hundreds of deaths — patterns so consistent they’re now cited in hospice textbooks: visions of deceased loved ones, a heightened awareness near death, and people choosing when they will die
Her perspective has reached millions online, helping reframe how we think about death — not as something to fear, but the continuation into potentially something much more beautiful.
We explore: 1) What really happens in hospice care 2) Why Alzheimer’s patients sometimes become lucid before death 3) Whether consciousness originates in the brain — or passes through it 4) How your view of death shapes what you chase, fear, and hold on to
If you’ve ever wondered what happens next — or how to live before it does — this episode brings together science and personal story like few things can.
Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:19 - The Death of Steve Jobs 4:10 - Breakthroughs in Science & Conciousness 12:26 - Enhanced Awareness As You’re Dying 16:04 - 80% of People Experience Deathbed Phenomena 19:29 - Deathbed Visions 32:07 - Choosing When To Die 41:07 - Terminal Lucidity & Alzheimer’s 47:36 - The Death Stare & Death Reach 52:51 - Julie’s Shared Death Experience 1:01:01 - The Link Between Near-Death Studies & Hospice Care 1:06:12 - The Biology of Dying 1:13:04 - What Matters Most in Life 1:16:40 - Dealing with Grief 1:20:47 - Regrets of the Dying 1:29:33 - Resume Virtues vs. Eulogy Virtues 1:35:23 - Longing To Go Home
Related Episodes: https://youtu.be/zXUpebtiLp8 https://youtu.be/jDkH6SWvnJ4 https://youtu.be/m-9o5aFAqrI
Mighty Pursuit Links: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/ X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit
Julie McFadden: Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hospicenursejulie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hospicenursejulie YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hospicenursejulie Nothing To Fear (Book): https://a.co/d/imBFpLb
Visit our Truth Hub: https://mightypursuit.com/truth
For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
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