Ep. 33 - Meaning to Grief: Death Positivity and End of Life Doulas with Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson was put on a path. After losing a close friend to colon cancer at a devastatingly young age, she embarked on a mission to take away the fear and uncertainty around the dying process. It's so often clouded and hyper-medicalized in America and is bereft of the lack of humanistic discussion needed, especially in the wake of over 1 million individuals due to the COVID pandemic. In this raw and intimate conversation, we chat about why our culture has denied death for so long, how COVID has changed the dying process, and how we can find peace in the final moments for our loved ones - and hopefully ourselves.

In this interview, Ashley and I discuss the importance of having open and honest conversations about death with those who are grieving. She believes that these conversations are vital in helping to reduce the level of anxiety and stress that people experience in regard to deathTo learn more about Ashley, visit Loyal Hands!

Key Highlights:

[00:01 - 05:09] - Opening segment

Dr. Rusha introduces Ashley Johnson!

Her expertise in the transition process following the COVID pandemic

The state of confusion in America due to the high rate of death

[05:10 - 15:00] – Balancing Pragmatism When It Comes To Death

Balancing pragmatism and hope when it comes to death

Acknowledge family members’ feelings and lead with that

Death doulas provide emotional support and spiritual guidance

[15:01 - 40:13] – Acknowledging The Truths About Death And Grief

“The Denial of Death” by Ernest Becker

Acknowledging the truth about death and grief

Honor your feelings

Dedication to working in the death and bereavement field

[40:14 – 49:23] - Closing Segment

End-of-life doulas are important and necessary

Listeners are invited to visit Loyal Hands!

Connect with Ashley Johnson at her:

LinkedIn: Ashley Johnson

Website: Ted x Westshore

Website: Loyal Hands

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Tweetable Quotes:

Ashley Johnson - "It's just the little things of that nature to make sure that we collaborate because everybody that we work with,  to make sure our patient and client have that death that aligns with their spirit or their belief because they only get one shot.”

Ashley Johnson - "Honor your feelings. You don't ever want to mask your feelings."

Dr. Rusha Modi - “The emotional depth in which you can become true to yourself and true to the moment being equally as valuable.”