End of Life Conversations
We will soon be creating a monthly newsletter. It will contain announcements about end-of-life classes and events, previews of our upcoming episodes, and many resources for planning and learning. And POETRY, of course. 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 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...
In this conversation, Mike Reagan, CEO of The Natural Funeral, shares his profound journey in end-of-life care, from his teenage years working in a cemetery to his current role in revolutionizing the funeral industry. He discusses the importance of presence and compassion during the dying process, the innovative approach of terramation, and the challenges of raising awareness about eco-friendly death care options. Mik...
In this conversation, Gail Rubin, a pioneering death educator, shares her journey into the field of death education, emphasizing the importance of planning for end-of-life issues. She discusses her creative approaches, including the use of humor and film clips, to engage people in conversations about death. Gail also reflects on her personal experiences with loss and the challenges she faces in her work, advocating fo...
In this conversation, Russell Young shares his profound experiences with death, grief, and the importance of community support. He reflects on the impact of losing loved ones, particularly his father and wife, and how these experiences shaped his understanding of life and death. We also highlight his installation of a 'wind phone' on his church's property, a symbolic gesture that allows individuals to c...
In this episode, we introduce the concept of death doulas, professionals trained to support individuals and families during the end-of-life process. Four experienced death doulas are featured in the conversation, sharing their backgrounds, specialties, and personal stories that inspired them to enter this field. They discuss the importance of providing emotional and practical support to families, their unique challeng...
In this conversation, Dr. Tamara McIntyre shares her journey and insights into death literacy, the importance of curiosity in facing mortality, and her work with hand-woven willow coffins. She discusses the challenges of engaging people in conversations about death, the cultural shifts surrounding end-of-life practices, and the need for community support in navigating these experiences. Dr. McIntyre emphasizes the sig...
In this conversation, Neshia (Nee sha) Alaovae (Alah vi) shares her profound experiences and insights on death, grief, and the importance of cultural rituals. Raised by her grandparents in Samoa, Neshia's early encounters with death shaped her understanding and approach to end-of-life care. She emphasizes the significance of rituals in navigating grief and the need for community support. Neshia discusses her jo...
In this conversation, Rich Nisbet shares his profound experiences with death, grief, and spirituality. He discusses his journey from personal loss to becoming a grief counselor, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning in death. Rich also introduces his children's book, The Life Cycle, which aims to help children understand death and the continuity of life.
The discussion also touches on the significance of ...
In this conversation, Michael Erard discusses his work on language, mainly focusing on the first words of babies and the last words of the dying. He shares personal experiences with death, including a profound encounter that shaped his understanding of grief and mourning. The discussion explores the importance of communication at the end of life, the cultural models surrounding death, and the collective experience of ...
In this conversation, Tiana Dargent, founder of Queer Community Death Care, shares her personal journey with death and grief, highlighting the importance of inclusive and compassionate end-of-life care for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. She discusses her experiences with death from a young age, the evolution of her understanding of grief, and the creation of safe spaces for discussions about death through Queer Death Salon...
An edited video version of this episode is available here: https://youtu.be/9bLisrm7q4w
In this podcast episode, the hosts engage with experienced death doulas to explore the journey of becoming a death doula, the personal inspirations behind their work, and the training involved. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the calling to serve the dying, and the unique philo...
In this conversation, Joe'l Simone Maldonado, a licensed funeral director and grief educator, shares her profound experiences with death from a young age, the challenges she faces in her profession, and the importance of self-care and boundaries in her work. She emphasizes the need for cultural competency in death care and reflects on the spiritual aspects of her role, while also discussing the fears and uncertai...
In this conversation, Deborah Grassman shares the profound insights she gained from her extensive experience as a hospice nurse for veterans. She discusses the concept of 'soul injury,' a wound that disconnects individuals from their true selves and emphasizes the importance of healing through self-discovery, grief, and forgiveness. Grassman reflects on how facing death can lead to a deeper understanding of ...
LiElla Kelly is a nationally recognized NEDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) Proficient End-of-Life Doula and After-Death Care Educator. She founded Leaving Well, a groundbreaking business that serves individuals and families seeking to navigate end-of-life transitions with grace, dignity, and peace. Her clients understand the importance of planning and wish to approach death with openness and preparedness—those...
In this episode, we spoke with two new friends we met at a recent death care conference in Seattle. They are both Death Doulas and some of their cohort will share their inspiration and work in a special premium video episode called “What is a Death Doula?” We hope you’ll subscribe to enjoy that and other premium content.
Phoenix and Myra share their personal experiences with death and how it has shaped their lives...
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