End of Life Conversations
We are now posting a monthly newsletter on Substack. It contains announcements about end-of-life classes and events, previews of our upcoming episodes, and many resources for planning and learning. Articles and POETRY, of course. You can subscribe to our Substack here: https://endoflifeconvos.substack.com We will also be asking our readers (that’s YOU!) for articles, poetry, or event listings. If you would like to be added to our list (can cancel anytime), please contact us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com *************** Annalouiza and Wakil offer classes on end-of-life planning, grief counseling, and interfaith (or no faith!) spiritual direction. If you are interested in any of these, please don't hesitate to contact us via email at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com. In this podcast, we'll share people’s experiences with the end of life. We have reached out to experts in the field, front-line workers, as well as friends, neighbors, and the community, to have conversations about their experiences with death and dying. We have invited wonderful people to sit with us and share their stories with one another. Our goal is to provide you with information and resources that can help us all navigate and better understand this important subject. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and BlueSky. Additionally, we would appreciate your financial support, and you can subscribe by clicking the Subscribe button. Subscribers will be sent a dynamically updated end-of-life planning checklist and resources document. They will have access to premium video podcasts on many end-of-life planning and support subjects. Subscribers at $8/month or higher will be invited to a special live, online conversation with Annalouiza and Wakil and are eligible for a free initial session of grief counseling or interfaith spiritual direction. We would love to hear your feedback and stories. You can email us at endoflifeconvo@gmail.com. We want to thank Wakil and his wife's children for the wonderful song that begins our programs. We also want to acknowledge that the music we are using was composed and produced by Charles Hiestand. We also acknowledge that we live and work on unceded indigenous peoples' lands. We thank them for their generations of stewardship, which continues to this day, and honor them by doing all we can to create a sustainable planet and support the thriving of all life, both human and more than human.
Episodes
In this episode, Mark Ireland shares his profound journey through grief and the exploration of life after death following the loss of his son, Brandon. He discusses the impact of his father's legacy as a psychic medium and the founding of Helping Parents Heal, an organization dedicated to supporting grieving parents. Mark delves into his experiences with mediumship, the evidence he has encountered, and the import...
In this episode, Rev Wakil David and Annalouiza engage with Sarah Ecklein, a fiduciary and end-of-life advocate, discussing the importance of legacy planning and the emotional aspects surrounding death. Sarah shares her personal experiences with death, the role of a fiduciary, and the challenges families face in estate planning. The discussion emphasizes the need for proactive planning, the significance of difficult c...
In this conversation, Dr. Mekel Harris shares her profound insights on grief and loss, drawing on both her personal experiences and professional expertise. She discusses the impact of her mother's death on her life, the importance of journaling as a tool for processing grief, and the non-linear nature of the grieving process. The conversation highlights the importance of witnessing grief and the cultural barriers...
In this conversation, Rabbi Rami Shapiro shares his insights on death, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of life. He reflects on his early awareness of death, the impact of losing loved ones, and the profound lessons learned from witnessing the dying process. Rabbi Rami emphasizes the importance of letting go of the egoic self and living by the golden rule, drawing from his experiences and teachings in both Jud...
In this conversation, Liz Dunnebacke shares her journey from the entertainment industry to founding Wake, a nonprofit focused on affordable and environmentally sustainable death care. She discusses her personal experiences with death, the challenges of navigating the death care system, and the emotional impact of choices surrounding death. Liz highlights the crisis of unclaimed bodies, the legal complexities of death ...
In this conversation, Christine Gautreaux shares her journey of understanding death and caregiving, beginning with her early experiences of loss in her family. She discusses how these experiences shaped her career in social work and her role as a death doula. Christine emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need for open conversations about death and dying. She also shares personal stories about...
In this engaging conversation, Kilah Storm, a writer and puppeteer, shares her unique perspective on life, death, and storytelling through her art. We discuss her early encounters with death, the impact it had on her desire for honest storytelling, and her journey into puppetry using taxidermy roadkill. Kilah emphasizes the importance of honoring life and death in her performances, aiming to change perceptions of taxi...
You can see the video version of this episode here
In this reflective conversation, hosts Wakil David Matthews and Annalouiza Armendariz discuss the highlights of their third season, featuring a diverse array of guests who share insights on death, dying, and the various cultural and personal approaches to end-of-life care. They explore the roles of death doulas, innovative practices in body disposition, and the importa...
In this compelling episode, we speak with Sam Lee Zemke. Sam is part of our podcast family and does terrific work as our editor. He is a jack of many trades and interests: radical anthropologist, neo-mythologist, cooperative living counselor, mediator, artist, musician, improviser, ancestral advocate, part-time house spirit, and service magician. He is my friend on the Sufi path, and I’ve known him since he was a litt...
In this conversation, Seth Samuels shares his journey through understanding death, grief, and emotional expression. He reflects on his early experiences with loss, particularly within his family, and how these experiences shaped his identity and spiritual journey. The discussion explores the cultural significance of grief, the role of humor in processing emotions, and Seth's work in examining male emotions throug...
In this conversation, Jay Deitcher shares his personal experiences with death and grief, discussing how these experiences have shaped his life and work. He reflects on the loss of friends and family, the impact of death on his children, and how writing serves as a coping mechanism. Jay also introduces the unique practice of texting deceased loved ones as a way to process grief and maintain connections with them.
We em...
In this conversation, Dr. Sheila K. Collins shares her profound experiences with grief, having lost both a son and a daughter. She discusses the importance of community support, the role of art in healing, and the misconceptions surrounding the grieving process.
Through her personal stories and professional insights, she emphasizes the need for a deeper understanding of grief and the transformative power of love and c...
In this conversation, Tim Arsenault shares his profound experiences with death and grief, exploring how these experiences shaped his journey into spiritual direction.
He discusses the concept of spiritual bypassing, the impact of his early losses, and how he found purpose in helping others navigate their spiritual journeys.
Tim also reflects on his current work in spiritual direction, the importance of deep listening,...
In this conversation, Rusty Rosman shares her experiences with caregiving and the importance of pre-planning for death through her book, 'Two Envelopes.' She discusses families' emotional challenges during end-of-life decisions and emphasizes the need for clear communication and documentation of final wishes. Rusty introduces the concept of two envelopes: one for immediate actions after death and anothe...
In this conversation, Marci Donaldson shares her journey from a small town in Wyoming to becoming a passionate advocate for end-of-life care. She discusses her early experiences with death, the impact of her mother's strength, and how these experiences shaped her career in hospice and nursing. Marci highlights the gaps in care for those at the end of life and her efforts to innovate solutions, including the estab...
In this episode, Karen Carlissi discusses her work as a death doula and the collaborative event she is hosting with Phoenix Destiny, focusing on supporting individuals who have experienced child loss.
We explore the concept of disenfranchised grief, the format of their workshops, and the importance of ongoing support for participants. Karen shares insights into the emotional landscape of child loss and the rituals tha...
In this conversation, Pamela Belyea shares her journey through grief after losing six family members in a short span. She discusses the founding of the Griever's Library, a nonprofit that provides grief resources to the community. We explore the importance of being present for those in grief, the role of community support, and the impact of literature on the healing process. Pamela emphasizes the need for compass...
In this episode, we welcomed Fran Parker. Fran is a writer who loves Earth and the diversity of life on planet Earth. Her awe of humanity's potential, her communication with God, and her journeys in dreams and meditations led her to write the book God's Gift to Gaia: Guidance for Awakening Humans.
Messages from Jesus led to a book sequel, Jesus Joins the Dialogue. Fran has a Ph.D. in Intercultural ...
In this conversation, Karen Carlisi shares her profound journey from being an English language educator to becoming a death doula. She reflects on her early experiences with death, including the loss of loved ones, and how these moments shaped her understanding of life and death. Karen discusses her transition into the role of a death doula, its responsibilities, and the challenges she faces in educating others about ...
In this conversation, Mirabai Starr shares her profound experiences with death and loss, detailing how these events have shaped her spiritual journey and her work. She discusses the impact of her brother's and first love's deaths on her life, leading her to explore the sacred dimensions of grief.
Mirabai also introduces her current projects, including the Wild Heart Space community, which supports individual...
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