VAD: Choice, Compassion, and the End of Life.

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We all know death is coming for us, yet most of us avoid talking about it like it’s the plague. In this episode, I sit down with Baci Hillyer for an honest, heartfelt conversation about why facing our mortality head-on, including the controversial topic of assisted dying, can change the way we live.

Baci and I dive into the uncomfortable yet essential topic of death, why we fear it, why we avoid it, and what happens when we finally look it in the eye. We explore her personal journey of working in the end-of-life space, the emotional truths she’s uncovered, and the unexpected freedom that comes from preparing for something we can’t escape.

One of the big conversations we have is around Voluntary Assisted Dying, what it means, who it’s for, and why it sparks so much debate. Baci shares her perspective from both personal and professional angles, inviting listeners to think deeply about choice, autonomy, and compassion at the end of life.

This episode is about more than just dying, it’s about living well. We unpack the role that grief plays in shaping us, how our culture’s discomfort with death harms us, and practical steps you can take right now to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the inevitable. There’s laughter, raw honesty, and a shared belief that talking about death is one of the most life-affirming things you can do.

If you’ve ever found yourself dodging the “D word”, this conversation will inspire you to rethink what it means to live and die well.

We discussed: 

• Why avoiding death talk robs us of deeper living
• How Baci found her calling in end-of-life work
• The surprising emotional freedom in facing mortality
• Voluntary Assisted

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