Losing a Beloved Sister with Steven Petrow

We love Steven Petrow for many reasons: he's funny, he's smart, he's a kickass writer, and he's tirelessly devoted to his beloved family. 

Sadly, Steven lost his younger sister, Julie Petrow Cohen, to ovarian cancer in June 2023. From all accounts, Julie led a life that priortized joy, professionalism, social justice, and family. In essence, she lived her life in full throttle.

At the end of her life, Julie chose when to die, accessing a little-known right in her state of New Jersey to die with dignity -- also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID). (MAID is currently an option in 9 states and Washington, D.C.)

Steven promised his beloved sister he would write about her experience and choice so that others may learn about and consider this option if needed. In a New York Times article entitled, "I Promised My Sister I Would Write About How She Chose to Die," Steven did just that. The article, not surprisingly, resonated with thousands.

Listen in as Steven talks about losing his beloved sister, how their shared experiences and humor bonded them, and what he's learned about the grief journey.

Steven Petrow is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. He’s also an opinion columnist for USA Today,  where he writes about civil discourse and manners.  Steven's 2019 TED Talk, “3 Ways to Practice Civility” has been viewed nearly two million times and translated into 16 languages.