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The Death Dialogues Project Podcast

The Death Dialogues Project Podcast

By The Death Dialogues Project Podcast

“I love how real these episodes are. . .” “This podcast was like a beacon of light when I needed it most.” A grassroots movement getting conversations about death, dying & the aftermath out of the closet. Becky Aud-Jennison has worked for the past four decades as a therapist, instructor, presenter, writer—interfacing with Death professionally—it was her own deep loss that motivated her to start this project. Hearing others’ STORIES are what informs us. Join us as we talk all things Death. Follow: www.deathdialogues.net Find us on IG & FB .
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13. Bradley Cooper & Yoga Girl & Death & me

The Death Dialogues Project PodcastFeb 09, 2019

00:00
45:45
128. You Will Always Be That Child’s Mother: Shauna Domalain

128. You Will Always Be That Child’s Mother: Shauna Domalain

Shauna is the creative founder of the Growing Up in Heaven Program for mothers who want to connect and communicate with their children on the Other Side. Shauna’s personal journey through the loss of her son Jack has paved a path for mothers to move from grief to relief as they learn to make the connection with their child in Heaven. A powerhouse in the spiritual communication realms, Shauna’s first-hand experience with loss and grief allow her to share a wealth of soulful + heart-felt tools and support on how to navigate loss and find true meaning in life again.
She runs her business from her home in Canada, and is the host of The Oracle of Light Podcast. Shauna enjoys kickboxing and working out, spending time in the mountains with family and friends, and her continued quest for the perfect cup of coffee.
Mar 16, 202349:44
127."Dipped In It" by Bethany Harvey

127."Dipped In It" by Bethany Harvey

Bethany Harvey is a debut memoirist whose book, "Dipped In It," reached the best seller list on both Barnes & Noble and Amazon when released in July of 2021. "Dipped In It" came to life when Bethany’s "gratitude journaling" went awry. In "Dipped In It," Bethany’s daily reflections during a period of deep grief explore the question, “Can gratitude and grief coexist?”  The answer is a resounding yes, as Bethany learns that we can rage, weep, belly laugh, and ache over the beauty and fragility of life—all in one day, hour, or moment. It all gets to belong. Bethany is a deep thinker and feeler, the mother of two inspiring children, and the owner of a much sought after childcare center in her home State of Rhode Island. Her daughter is showcasing the gorgeous cover she created in the photo.
Feb 09, 202358:22
126. It’s All Gonna Be Okay: Gracelyn Bateman

126. It’s All Gonna Be Okay: Gracelyn Bateman

Gracelyn Bateman is an author, co-founder of Luna Peak Foundation, and a grief advocate. With a background in sociology and personal experience of the sudden loss of her father, she set out to humanize the taboo topic of grief through photography and storytelling. Her mission is to help people not feel alone in their grief. Her latest book Beyond Grief shares 80 grief photographs, mementos, and stories to show how others process and navigate their life after loss. Her work at Luna Peak uplifts multicultural survivor stories and gives survivors a safe platform to share. She was born and raised in Southern California and loves to hike and play the ukulele with her grandfather.


LINKS:
www.lunapeakfoundation.org/ (find books there)
Instagram: @lunapeakfoundation

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Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them. The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link: tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project. "Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow
Dec 11, 202252:26
125. five years on …
Nov 05, 202201:00:05
124. Helping Grieving Siblings Heal After Child Loss: Michele Benyo

124. Helping Grieving Siblings Heal After Child Loss: Michele Benyo

Michele Benyo is a mom of two, a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®, an early childhood educator and parent coach, and the founder of Good Grief Parenting. After her 6-year-old son died of cancer, her 3-year-old daughter said, “Mommy, half of me is gone.” This heartbreaking statement defined Michele’s life purpose. Her mission is twofold: to help parents through the unimaginable challenges of parenting while grieving the death of a child, and to help parents meet the unique needs of a child who has lost a sibling in the early childhood years. The desire of Michele’s heart is to see families live forward after loss toward a future bright with possibilities and even joy. 


LINKS: www.goodgriefparenting.com https://www.instagram.com/goodgriefparenting/ https://www.facebook.com/goodgriefparenting/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsraisingyoungsiblings 



*******  Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them. The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project. "Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow Edit audio

Oct 13, 202259:31
123. Men, Mental Health, Grief, and Finding Life After: Mark Schutter

123. Men, Mental Health, Grief, and Finding Life After: Mark Schutter

In 1993 Mark's first wife, aged 27, died of metastatic breast cancer. He did what he believed was expected of him as a young man - move on. He remarried, had a daughter and many years later the grief resurfaced. Over the past 5 years through counseling and writing creatively he was able to write his memoir "Cowboys Are Not Supposed to Cry" chronicling his story of love, loss, grief, healing and “life after...”
He continues to fight for others and their healing. He seeks truth, writes poetry and stories while often stumbling along the way. He has navigated the pain of loss and grief to find hope and love again. Grief is not something you just get over and he tells his story of living a life while acknowledging and carrying grief. He has poems published in several anthologies on the topics of love, loss, grief, healing, hope and self-discovery under the pen name Mark Wayne.
He is happily remarried to a wonderful woman who he claims is the most beautiful and strongest woman he has ever known. He has been blessed with a beautiful daughter who keeps him young in this second chapter of life that he has been granted. He enjoys horses and mountain biking when not writing. He believes in the ‘ripple effect,’ touch one life and you may touch the world, for to share the journey, however brief, is a wonderful gift. His wish is to share the joys, the sorrows, the hope and healing to inspire others to live despite the grief we all carry because there is “life after…”. *******
Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them.
The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link:
tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project.
"Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow
Sep 15, 202201:04:10
122. Cultivating Our Own Connections: Dr. Amy Robbin

122. Cultivating Our Own Connections: Dr. Amy Robbin

Dr. Robbins is the Director of Mental Health at BIÂN (Be-on) and a Clinical Psychologist in private practice for almost 20 years. Dr. Robbins, has experience in both traditional and energy psychotherapy and spiritual intuition. She encourages people to awaken to and live their essence, using the wisdom of death in an unexpectedly positive way.
After the unexpected death of her aunt at a young age and a spiritual transformative experience with “the other side,” Dr. Robbins began a long journey into spirituality that has paralleled her clinical psychology work. Only 3 years ago, Dr. Robbins opened up to share her experiences through her podcast, Life, Death, and the Space Between, where she provides an ever-growing library of resources to explore the complex synergy between the psychological and spiritual – empowering you to know your true self and live a more fulfilling, connected life.
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Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them.
The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link:
tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project.
"Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow
Aug 18, 202201:00:51
121. Putting Our Feet on the Ground: David Richman

121. Putting Our Feet on the Ground: David Richman

David is an author, public speaker, and endurance athlete whose mission is to form more meaningful human connections through storytelling. His first book, Winning in the Middle of the Pack, discussed how to get more out of ourselves than ever imagined. With Cycle of Lives, David shares stories of people overcoming trauma and delves deeply into their emotional journeys with cancer. He continues to do Ironman triathlons and recently completed a solo 4,700-mile bike ride. You can pick up a copy of his book at david-richman.com/cycle-of-lives/ or on Amazon.
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Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them.
The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link: tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project.
"Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow
Jul 28, 202255:58
120. Unexpecting with Rachel Lewis

120. Unexpecting with Rachel Lewis

Rachel Lewis is a foster, adoptive and birth mom. After a 5-year battle with secondary infertility and the losses of five babies during pregnancy, she now has three children in her arms and a foster son in her heart.

As the founder of the Facebook support group Brave Mamas, she is passionate about helping others through their grief. She is a contributor to Still Standing Magazine, Pregnancy After Loss Support, and Filter Free Parents. Rachel holds bachelor’s degrees in Theology, Bible, and Speech Communications.

Rachel wrote the book Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss as a way for other parents experiencing similar loss to connect and know what to expect. You can find Rachel’s book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. My conversation with Rachel spans talking about platitudes, to paper plates, and the grief she felt as she experienced unprecedented loss. 


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Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them. The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project. 


 "Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow




Jul 14, 202201:10:28
119. Healing Grief Through Poetry: Mike Bernhardt

119. Healing Grief Through Poetry: Mike Bernhardt

When Mike Bernhardt's wife died in 1991, he turned to writing poetry to express his grief and found it to be both cathartic and healing. Over time, he was contacted by hundreds of other people who felt the same way. Mike's book, "Voices of the Grieving Heart," is a collection of over 160 deeply authentic poems, short essays, and images contributed to him by 83 people whose loved ones died. To learn more or order the book, visit mikebernhardt.net.

Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them. The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link: tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project.

"Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow


Jun 30, 202254:20
 118. Peace & Purpose After Loss: Reid Peterson

118. Peace & Purpose After Loss: Reid Peterson

Reid Peterson is the Creator of Grief Refuge, a mobile app that is a daily companion to people in grief. Reid's biological father died in 2006 and his stepfather died in 2016. After losing both father figures in his life, he sought support through community grief counseling and support groups. After realizing comfort and solace could be provided to grievers more consistently, he made the Grief Refuge app to provide support on a daily basis.
Reid lives with his wife, Jessica, in Santa Barbara, California.
Reid often shares his story of losing both father figures in his life and the grief that comes with living without those important people. Although he was not close to his biological father the way he hoped, Reid still grieves the relationship that he wished he had with him. After his loss, Reid found support through grief groups but wanted more consistent support. This led him to create a grief support app that offers daily audio messages to comfort grieving hearts, soothe anxious minds, and validate people on their difficult journey.
Reid has created an open space for his clients to grieve through his companioning support model. This allows them to grieve in the way that’s open for them without criticism or judgment. The process gives them the validation they need to work through the hard things and the tools they need to heal. You can find Grief Refuge by searching the name in your mobile app store.
Thanks for being here! Please consider subscribing and rating The Death Dialogues Project Podcast to help us get these episodes in front of folks who need them.
The book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project is on sale everywhere you buy your books. Here's one link:
tinyurl.com/2p9c25rt
As the Kiwis say, this project runs on the smell of an oily rag (read: no income or funding)-- the purchase of the very affordable book will go towards costs for running this project.
"Just finished this wonderful resource by Becky Aud-Jennison called, Death and Its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons. If you have any desire to learn the effects the death of a loved one has on us, read this book. It is one of those lovely books that combines story, science and the experience of the author to illuminate a profound topic in an understandable way." - Jennifer A. O'Brien, author of Hospice Doctor's Widow

Jun 16, 202247:25
117. thoughts from the road …
May 18, 202222:56
116. Grieving as a Self Help Guru: Kristine Carlson

116. Grieving as a Self Help Guru: Kristine Carlson

Kristine Carlson is a New York Times bestselling author and renowned speaker recognized worldwide for the global success of The Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff book series she co-authored with her late husband Dr. Richard Carlson. Her latest book, Heartbroken Open, a life-changing memoir, has become a Lifetime Television biopic starring Heather Locklear called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story. With over 30 million books in print, Carlson has emerged as a leading mindfulness expert and transformational guide who has been featured on national radio and television broadcasts, including The Today Show, The View, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2010, she was awarded the Kennedy Laureate Award by John F. Kennedy University alongside the iconic chef Alice Waters and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta. In addition to her books Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love, and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Moms, Carlson’s other titles include An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love (a tribute to her husband), and her seminal self-help book for leading readers out of the pain of loss and into a new future — From Heartbreak to Wholeness: The Hero’s Journey to Joy. Through her beloved women’s retreats, including her signature What Now? program, Carlson serves as a guide for women navigating transition and change of all kinds — showing them how to live their most vibrant, joyous, and fulfilling life in their next chapter. Through her popular podcast Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Live the Big Stuff, Carlson’s depth, realness, and ever-present humor shine through each memorable episode. Her popular video-based, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Happiness Training Courses (on Dontsweat.com) teach people how to find inspiration and direction right in the midst of life’s uncertainties — helping individuals around the world to move from overwhelming anxiety to an abiding optimism and trust in life. These courses feature exclusive video footage of her late husband, Dr. Richard Carlson.  She is on the advisory board of Modern Widows Club and on the Global Leadership Council of Challenge Day. Carlson has two daughters and five grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to exercise – boot camp fitness classes, yoga or hiking. She also is an inspirational speaker and leads women’s retreats all over the world. Her mission is to show people that it is possible to love your life again after profound loss and major change — and to discover that more laughter, love, and happiness await you. To learn more about Kristine Carlson, visit her website www.kristinecarlson.com.

Please remember to rate and subscribe to The Death Dialogues Project Podcast. Thank you! Don't forget our book, Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project  for your personal reading and gift giving needs. Available wherever books are sold. Whangarei Paper Plus is selling it nationwide in New Zealand.

Apr 28, 202257:43
115. Learning about Grief: A. Olivia Nelson

115. Learning about Grief: A. Olivia Nelson

A. Olivia Nelson is a two-time widow in her twenties who, in the span of five years, said goodbye to family and friends alongside major non-death losses. Having to face grief in a variety of situations, she gained deep insight into our broken grief culture: grieving people lack support and those who want to help don't know how. To heal this gap, Nelson formed Learning About Grief, a website on which she shares personal stories, coping resources, and hosts a virtual grief group. Her vision is to change how we perceive grief. "We'll all bury a loved one," said Nelson. "Educating ourselves on what that's like helps us embrace grief as a human experience." You can find A. Olivia Nelson on Instagram @LearningAboutGrief, Twitter @LearnAboutGrief, or learningaboutgrief.com.
Please leave a rating and subscribe to The Death Dialogues Project Podcast. Thank you!
Don't forget to check out the recently released book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project. We are getting lovely feedback from folks who are reading if for self-reflection as well as many who are giving it for gifts. Available where books are sold. Kindle/e-book super affordable if you'd like to check it out. Most seem to be buying paperbacks, I'm sure the lovely cover has something to do with that. It's a great gift for when there are no words ...
Apr 14, 202256:31
114. Kate Manser: ALIVE
Mar 31, 202259:10
personal & project updates

personal & project updates

In this bonus episode you'll hear a bit of an update of the project and podcast and recently released book AND, further along, our recent personal experience of peering into death’s abyss.

Thank you all for your support.
It is so greatly appreciated.

Links to podcast episodes in profile. The latest episode can always be found at
www.deathdialogues.net. It’s everywhere you listen to your podcasts.

Please support the project by subscribing to this podcast and leaving a review.

Buying and recommending “Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project” tangibly supports the work of this project.

Thanks for being here ...
Mar 17, 202222:04
113. Soul Midwifery: Margaret McCallum

113. Soul Midwifery: Margaret McCallum

Margaret was born and raised in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has lived there, in various corners of the country, apart from ten years in the UK. Her interests and areas of work have shifted over the decades, but a strong underlying theme is always a passion for the growth or evolution of people of any age. This includes people who are dying. Margaret has a deep interest in death and dying, especially in opening people to the gifts in dying, gifts which she feels are often not experienced in Western society because of a cultural resistance to death, even so-called ‘timely’ death. Margaret has three adult children and four precious young grandsons who bring her much joy. 

Find Margaret at https://www.margaretmccallum.com/

Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject

Read our new book Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project. Available as e-book, hard cover, paperbacks and audio book. Find it where books have sold. Have you tried this indie online offering? https://bookshop.org/books/death-and-its-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-beautiful-lessons-field-notes-from-the-death-dialogues-project/9781945060359

Find the audio book here: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/death-and-its-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-beautiful-lessons

Thanks for being here!

Mar 03, 202255:21
Death & its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons
Feb 17, 202229:03
112. The Art of Living With Grief: Claudia Chappel

112. The Art of Living With Grief: Claudia Chappel

A successful professional artist, Claudia, a single mom, supported her children by painting tiles for peoples' houses. It allowed her to be home with her children. At the age of 53 Claudia experienced the unimaginable. She answered a knock at the door and a policeman was standing there. He told her every parent's worst nightmare, her son Ben, the first love of her life was gone. After Ben's death, she fell into a dark and lonely place. She gave up painting. Over the next 13 years, Claudia slowly learned to live with her pain and grief. She began to paint again. Her work had no special meaning to her at the time. Parents who have experienced the death of their children began to seek her out for advice, comfort and hope. Over time she realized that she was saying the same words repeatedly. She decided to write them down. It wasn't until she began writing this book that the art, she thought had no meaning, served to be perfect illustrations. The book was initially written as a gift for a mother whose son had recently died. Other's wanted copies to send to friends who were suffering the same losses. She started making copies. She discovered that helping other grieving parents gave both her grief and her art a purpose. Claudia lives in Baltimore, Maryland with her loving husband Richard and close to her daughter Jessica, son-in-law Michael and two grandchildren, Olive and Gus. Her loves also include her two dogs and two birds. Find Claudia: @artoflivingwithgrief
claudiachappel.com Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Feb 03, 202258:12
111. B-word Lives On: A Mother’s Magical Story

111. B-word Lives On: A Mother’s Magical Story

Always fascinated with stories surrounding connection into the beyond, after reading the account Tina Fluharty had written surrounding her daughter, Rebecca's untimely, tragic death, she was immediately contacted to be on the podcast. Not only have we shared her story here, but it is also featured in our upcoming book: Death and its Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Beautiful Lessons: field notes from The Death Dialogues Project.
Sometimes we are fortunate enough to be exposed to a story of connection that is so detailed and complex, it is impossible to deny the fact that there are deep and beautiful mysteries surrounding death and life that, if we are lucky enough, teach us there so much more to our existence than what is visible to the human eye.
Our hope is when you hear this true account of what Tina experienced, you will find yourself a bit more open to the depths of the great mysteries of life and death.
B-word does live on and you can find her amazing work in a variety of places.
You can find Rebecca's Instagram account and see her gorgeous photos at @_bword
You can read Tina's written version of her account of what happened on the day of Rebecca's death here:
www.lovewhatmatters.com/something-awful-has-happened-my-family-looked-at-me-confused-my-daughter-was-somewhere-being-swept-away-by-raging-flood-waters-mom-loses-daughter-to-tragic-flood-drowning-accident-afte/
Here is the link to Rebecca's staggering memorial video: youtu.be/m84c243krOU
You can find Rebecca's work, documentation of life celebration and art for sale here: www.abandonedcentral.com/
Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Jan 20, 202256:50
110. Lisa Bain: The Wandering Widow

110. Lisa Bain: The Wandering Widow

Hi! I’m the real Lisa Bain, the blogger behind The Wandering Widow and author of Heart of a Kingdom. 

A few years ago, I was just like everyone else I knew. I was on the corporate career track at a company I loved, caring for my aging parents, and taking life’s adventures one day at a time with my soul mate at my side. I had a plan. I knew where I was going, how long it would take to get there, and had the action items to propel me towards my life goals. 

All that came screeching to a halt in 2016, when my husband died of a very aggressive and rare form of cancer, just nine months after my dad died of Advanced Parkinson’s Disease. I couldn’t hold it together and watched in horror as my carefully crafted life imploded. The loss of the two men I loved most in the world ripped off the cover on every other loss I’d buried deep inside, forcing me to face them all. I couldn’t function, and the people in my life didn’t know how to help me. 

With THE WANDERING WIDOW I started writing to work through my grief. I had been in corporate sales and marketing. Creative writing had been on my radar but became a saving grace as I tried to figure out who I was in this new widow life. I started my blog The Wandering Widow as a way to express the feelings I couldn’t verbalize amid my raw pain. I always wrote for myself, but the feedback I received from other widows encouraged me to share my blog to a wider audience. I committed to share all the ugly and beautiful bits of my grief journey as a way to both stay on track for my healing and also to help others. We live in a grief phobic society. If my snarky accounts of my story can help shed light on the needs of the grieving, help the bereaved feel less alone, and help family and friends with suggestions on how to help, then I’m in 100%. And a journey it became. I left that corporate job, my home, and my friends and family and set out to travel the world by myself for a year. (That year never ended, in case you were wondering.) By this point, I’d added short stories and angsty poetry to my journaling but never planned to write a book. Traveling alone had its lonely moments, and I often took my laptop to a coffee shop and just wrote what I saw. I didn’t want to be a travel blogger but did want to share the things I learned on my travels as The Wandering Widow. And everywhere I went, I encountered my fellow bereaved. I learned that most countries struggle with providing adequate grief support. I connected with widows and widowers who were desperate to share their stories and say aloud the names of the ones they lost. I’m grateful to now call many of them friends. 

While my grief will always be her cornerstone of my writing, I've moved further afield and am now and internationally published poet and working on my second novel.

Find Lisa on social media @thereallisabain and @lisanainwrites and her website www.thereallisabain.com. 

Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject

Jan 06, 202201:06:51
Happy Holidays Bonus Episode 2021
Dec 24, 202130:12
109. Holistic Medium Shane Gadd
Dec 09, 202101:03:01
108. Heal Through Love: Teresa Weybrew

108. Heal Through Love: Teresa Weybrew

My name is Teresa Weybrew. I’m a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Boppie (grandmother), Aunt, and Friend. I am a Spiritual Companion.
On a beautiful June morning, I was thrown unprepared into a very deep and scary darkness. My love, my person, died in my arms, tragically and very unexpectedly. In my darkest hour, I was completely broken open. There was no capacity, but for a shallow breathe to sustain my shell of a life. I wanted to be with him. In that moment, I was offered a gift, and a choice for my soul. That gift was love. For myself, my life, my family and friends, and for him. I chose love, in that powerful moment. Life was never the same.
My work since then has been to work with others understand the power within, and to choose love. I have had the privilege every day of helping others who find themselves lost. Through the death of a loved one, loss of self, work, health, and other experiences we encounter as we walk on this earth. My deep love of connecting to and helping people, coupled with my extensive training as a Holistic Life Coach, Certified HeartMath Coach, and a Meditation and Mindfulness teacher, has combined the true essence of my authentic self.
I live my life using the practical and spiritual tools that I am passionate to share. Healing can begin with support and compassion, loving kindness, and a nurturing space to feel safe and understood . With these skills, a knowledge of the Universal Law of Attraction, my prayer is for others to experience powerful change and develop a practice that will affect their lives forever. Together, we’ll soften the jagged edges in this moment because this moment is all we have.
You can find Teresa's work at
healthroughlove.com
Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Nov 25, 202101:05:22
107. American Hospice Pioneer: Barbara Karnes, RN

107. American Hospice Pioneer: Barbara Karnes, RN

Barbara Karnes, RN Award Winning End of Life Educator, Award Winning Nurse, NHPCO Hospice Innovator Award Winner 2018 & 2015 International Humanitarian Woman of the Year While at the bedside of hundreds of people during the dying process, Hospice Pioneer Barbara Karnes noticed that each death was following a near identical script. Each person was going through the stages of death in almost the same manner and most families came to her with similar questions. These realizations led Barbara to sit down and write Gone From My Sight, "The Little Blue Book" that changed the hospice industry. Gone From My Sight is the original, and remains the most widely used, patient/family educational booklet on the signs of approaching death. It has been in print continuously since 1985 and has sold over thirty million copies world wide. With its publication and distribution, Barbara created one of the most important tools in the end of life movement today. Barbara Karnes, RN, is an internationally respected speaker, educator, author, and thought leader on matters of end of life. She is a renowned authority on the dying process and a leading educator for families, healthcare professionals, and the community at large. Barbara's award winning DVDs and books about death and dying are starting conversations and changing lives - in this country and around the world. In her work, Barbara compassionately explains stages of the dying process, living with a life threatening illness, pain management, and how people grieve. She explains how important it is to take care of yourself as a caregiver and offers guidelines for professionals. Barbara has held both clinical and leadership positions, including staff nurse, clinical supervisor, and executive director at Hospices and Home Health Care agencies. Since 1994, Barbara has traveled the country speaking about end of life issues and the stages of dying at national and state hospice and palliative care organization conferences, state associations, colleges, nursing schools, hospitals, and hospices. She is the expert that hospice and other healthcare professionals count on to teach them how to explain the dying process to families. Barbara has dedicated the last 40 years of her life to the education, care, and support of dying people and their loved ones. The most useful and important things that she's learned along the way have been distilled into her materials. “People don’t understand that there’s a normal, natural way of dying. My materials are written to guide and support anyone who finds themselves addressing end of life situations. The goal is to help people have a positive experience so everyone involved will have a sacred memory to carry with them.” - Barbara Karnes, RN. Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Nov 11, 202159:24
Laura Davis: The Burning Light of Two Stars—a mother-daughter story

Laura Davis: The Burning Light of Two Stars—a mother-daughter story

Laura Davis is the author of seven books, including The Courage to Heal and I Thought We‘d Never Speak Again. Her groundbreaking books have been translated into 11 languages and sold two million copies. In addition to writing books that inspire and change people’s lives, the work of Laura’s heart is to teach. For more than twenty years, she’s helped people find their voices, tell their stories, and hone their craft. Laura loves creating supportive, intimate writing communities online, in person, and internationally. You can find Laura at: lauradavis.net Book Description: Laura’s new memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story is the riveting story of her embattled relationship with her mother Temme, their determination to love one another, and the dramatic and surprising collision course they ended up on at the end of Temme’s life. For the millions of readers of Laura’s first book, The Courage to Heal, The Burning Light of Two Stars is both prequel and sequel, revealing in page-turning, intimate detail how Laura reconciled with the mother who betrayed her, and came to care for her in her final days. Offer for Listeners: You can read the opening five chapters here: www.lauradavis.net/chapters Direct links to buy The Burning Light of Two Stars: Independent Bookstores: Get Signed Copies Through Bookshop Santa Cruz: https://www.bookshopsantacruz.com/burning-light-two-stars-get-it-signed) Elliott Bay Books: https://www.elliottbaybook.com/book/9781954854161 Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-burning-light-of-two-stars-a-mother-daughter-story-9781954854161/9781954854161 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1954854161/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1954854161&linkCode=as2&tag=lauradavis-20&linkId=8a2f02a3d8d282b66785fb136ca02b80 Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-burning-light-of-two-stars-laura-davis/1139198069 Want a Discount When You Buy in Bulk for Your Book Club or Organization? For bulk sales: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/burning-light-of-two-stars-a-mother-daughter-story--laura-davis?variationCode=9781954854161#full-description Audiobook version of The Burning Light of Two Stars: On Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Burning-Light-of-Two-Stars-Audiobook/B09G8WJQP7 And on Libro.fm for independent stores: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781950144471 Also: If you’re a writer or want to use writing as a tool for healing or self-discovery, you can learn about Laura’s online writing workshops and in-person domestic and international retreats here: www.lauradavis.net * * * * Laura Davis www.lauradavis.net A picture containing text, blackboard, picture frame Description automatically generated My new memoir, The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story is available for presale now. Read the first five chapters and check out the great bonuses you can get if you order now: www.lauradavis.net/the-burning-light-of-two-stars/ Finalist, Page Turner Awards Free Ebook: Writing Toward Courage: A 30-Day Practice. Click here to receive this beautiful, thought-provoking creative gift: www.lauradavis.net/courage/ Facebook: @LauraDavis&TheWritersJourney Instagram: @laurasaridavis
Nov 04, 202149:36
106. Talk Dying to Me: Lauren Daley, MD

106. Talk Dying to Me: Lauren Daley, MD

Lauren is a palliative care doctor, motherless daughter, longtime griever and believer that having a healthy relationship with our mortality is the secret to living a better life. Her podcast, "Talk Dying to Me" shares stories from the crossroads of life and death, and all of the messy bits in between. She hopes her work creates space for fellow mortals to contemplate the harder parts of being human and weigh in on life's greatest mystery. 

You can find Lauren at Intagram and Facebook as @talkdying to me and at www.talkdyingtome.com

Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject

Regarding the Living with Ghosts virtual movie screening party for anyone in the world, here is the link: https://www.livingwithghostsmovie.com/joinusdesiree 

This will go live on NZ's Oct 30/US Oct 29 and be available for 10 days. 

Oct 28, 202159:42
105. and then he left: Jenifer Davis

105. and then he left: Jenifer Davis

Today we welcome Jenifer Davis onto the podcast. This is a deep and raw episode and Jenifer covers difficult ground in her story that she feels strongly about sharing. You will hear that there were so many layers of trauma and loss to this story. Here are Jenifer's words:
On May 30, 2017 at approximately 12 noon, I lost my husband to suicide. I was in the office in our house when he went out into his workshop in the garage and shot himself with a shotgun.
We had been married for almost 35 years and a couple for almost 36 years – but I knew him for 42 years. He was the love of my life and even though our marriage was not always easy, both of us plagued by our troubled childhoods, he was my person. We weathered so much over the years, but we had 3 grown children, they were doing well in our lives – we had a home and stability. All of that ended when he was laid off from his job (the first time he had ever been laid off). What should have been a blessing ended up being a nightmare.
Now, with the clarity of hindsight, everything makes so much sense.
The story has so many layers. But in 16 months what happened is this: He lost his job – he pushed me to transfer to Arizona where I could work for my company and we could buy a house for less money so the pressure for him to find more work wouldn’t be there. Because when you are an alcoholic, you think that things will get better if you change your environment. But you can move a 1000 miles away and you are still the same person.
I was grieving – I didn’t want to leave at that time but I did so he could feel better. We moved here 11 months after he was laid off. Two months after that I was fired from my job – Arizona is a Right to Work (no unions or unionize by choice/vote) and because I was over 50 and made over 100K a year they found a loophole and there was nothing I could do about it. So now we were in a strange state and neither of us had a job.
His suicide was an impulsive act; carried out impaired by alcohol. I never in a million years would have believed he would have done this. I tried to do everything I could to make him happy – he couldn’t overcome his anger at his childhood and he couldn’t articulate it (at least to me) – and he couldn’t be grateful for the blessings we did have.
What I really was unaware of was how he lived with anxiety and depression and only masked it. He did a pretty good job of it until the last 10 years of his life.
There are so many unanswered questions with a suicide – and they will never be answered. I can guess (and I am pretty sure I am close, if not 100% accurate). I am supposed to pick up the pieces of my life and figure out what in the hell I am supposed to do after all of this time? My children were grown, my job was taken from me, my home where my support infrastructure was, and my husband – all gone. I knew I was supposed to be married to him and I was his safe harbor – he was not always my safe harbor. I had to be strong, I had to figure out how to do things for our family and I often had to do them alone – sometimes I felt like I had four kids. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to take care of them all; mothering is what I love to do – but I dearly longed for appreciation. He would give me just enough to keep me around.
But I love him dearly regardless of all of the pain and sorrow – there were beautiful times – and I have his 3 children.
I want to help widows/widowers – I want there to be a place or something for them to come to for help because I didn’t have that – I have some ideas but because my brain scatters. I haven’t done anything yet, but the idea is there.
You can find me on Instagram @jeniferbrd7761
Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at
www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Oct 14, 202101:04:38
104. Karen Wyatt, MD: Lessons for Living from the Dying
Sep 30, 202101:06:57
 103. Sharing Solace: Crystal Webster
Sep 16, 202101:05:03
102. Oceana Sawyer: End of Life Doula
Sep 02, 202141:13
101. Cumulative Grief with Kameron & Kate

101. Cumulative Grief with Kameron & Kate

This episode is the first interview by our new Death Dialogues Project co-host, Kate Burns. A hearty welcome goes out to her.

Kate has served as an Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX Investigator and a large Midwest university for the last four years. In this role, she investigates harassment, discrimination, and sexual violence. Kate has extensive training in trauma informed interviewing and takes much pride in connecting with people on a meaningful level. Kate has a masters degree in forensic science which has proven helpful during interviews and also aided in achieving some unexpected accomplishments. After suddenly losing her mom in 2019, Kate found deep purpose in helping others navigate the processes which are encountered with death. Kate began volunteering with the Green Burial Council in February 2021 before being elected to serve a three year term on the Board of Directors. Kate is also in the process of becoming a death doula through the Going with Grace End of Life Planning program. Becoming part of the Death Dialogues Project has given life to Kate’s desire to connect with people who are experiencing/have experienced loss and has shined light on the need for more conversation around grief and loss. 

Here’s what Kameron says about this conversation: 

I can’t say that I remember a point in my life where I wasn’t familiar with great loss. My parents met on the cruise ship where my father worked, and my mother managed to convince him to move to Nebraska (he’s from Turkey and was living in Miami at the time, so the deal must have been pretty sweet). Working on a cruise ship meant he was gone for weeks at a time, which familiarized me with absence at an early age. By the time I was in grade school, my parents separated, and it wasn’t too long after that my father wound up in prison (sentenced to life without parole). I was raised only by my mother through middle and high school, which wasn’t an easy job. When I started undergrad at a local university, I decided to live at home despite my rocky relationship with my mother. One morning at the beginning of my second semester of freshmen year, I woke up to find my mother dead in her bedroom. Unexpectedly I found myself completely without parents, and with my entire adult life ahead of me. 

Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject

Aug 19, 202144:53
100. Relaxing into the Pain: Dr. Mekel Harris

100. Relaxing into the Pain: Dr. Mekel Harris

Dr. Mekel Harris, Ph.D., NCSP, PMH-C, a licensed pediatric and family health psychologist/health service provider (HSP) (and CEO of Harris Psychological Services, LLC), currently serves in private practice in the mid-South, offering psychological evaluation and support to children, adolescents, and families. Further, she offers training/education, consultative, and supervisory services to several local organizations throughout the Memphis area. Pre- and post-doctorally trained at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dr. Harris specializes in coping and adjustment to acute and chronic illness, grief and loss, and health-related trauma. In December 2020, she completed advanced certification through Postpartum Support International (PSI) in Advanced Perinatal Mental Health. Throughout the past decade, Dr. Harris has presented at over 25 domestic and international conferences, focused on pediatric, family, and community health issues, including grief and loss. Further, she is a TEDx speaker, magazine and podcast contributor, and author of a memoir, “Relaxing Into the Pain: My Journey Into Grief & Beyond.” In her spare time, she enjoys writing, traveling around the globe, and spending time with family, friends, and her feisty Beagle. Dr. Harris’ faith and relationships, coupled with real-life challenges, keep her tethered to what matters most in life. Website: www.mekelharrisphd.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/drmekel IG: www.instagram.com/drmekel Twitter: www.twitter.com/drmekel Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Aug 05, 202101:02:54
99. Sacred Crossings: Olivia Bareham
Jul 22, 202101:01:38
98. Dignity with Departure: Shantell Riley

98. Dignity with Departure: Shantell Riley

Our guest on this episode is Shantell Riley BSN, RN, RYT-200HR, End-of-Life Doula

Registered nurse by profession who has a passion for reducing the stigma surrounding end-of-life (or the challenging term death) advocating for and supporting an individual's right to have quality of life until the end. Shantell also assist individuals through the grief process after experiencing a loss. Shantell offers Yoga for Grief as a way for individuals to connect with their grief allowing a space to be present in the moment and poses used to open themselves up the emotions related to grief. She found yoga to be personally beneficial on her healing journey after the loss of her oldest son, Jevontese Riley Sr.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin mother of three sons, bereaved mother, grandmother, registered nurse, end-of-life doula, wholistic wellness practitioner, registered yoga teacher, herbalist, and advocate for mental health and death awareness. Shantell is the facilitator of Death Café MKE where participants come together to talk about death. She is also the owner of Dignity with Departure that others preparation and support for individuals for death and grief. She is also the owner of Blue Lotus Life which others wholistic services and products to restore balance and harmony for the wellbeing of individuals. Shantell received her associate degree in nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College in 2007 and obtained her bachelors of science in nursing from Concordia University-Mequon in 2016. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, reading, connecting with nature, and researching alternative therapies for wellness.

You can connect with her at:
Phone: 414-666-1875
Email:
dignitywithdeparture@gmail.com
Website: dignitywithdeparture.com

Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Jul 08, 202153:34
97. Mahyan’s Story: the beautiful-horrible

97. Mahyan’s Story: the beautiful-horrible

Madeleine says: “Until Mahyan died I was more familiar with birth than death and I noticed how often my brain produced images of my heart that looked more like the jagged edges of a torn placenta than the shattered yet life giving organ that would now pound and appear to beat out of time at random moments for years to come. After Mahyan died I felt bereft; physically aching for loss of my son only to discover fear had also come along for the ride as I realized the world where children were born, loved and raised to adulthood was no longer certain.

In what world had I previously felt this guarantee?

Death and the shattering of hearts and certainty is a transformative thing right?

Gently tending to questions such as these has also transformed me; leaning greatly on the incredible and loving community around me, Mahyan's death has also brought connection; rivers of tears have become well journeyed roads where those around me have nurtured, fed and sung to me and my family again and again. Close friends and colleagues have walked alongside and with my pain, shared stories and memories of Mahyan through many years and I am transformed again as I notice my heart has a steadier pace, a peace amidst this mountain of grief.”

Madeleine is a Mother and bereaved parent re-membering what it is to trust in life and death.

Through her work at the intersection of maternal and infant health, Madeleine creates spaces for listening and the sharing of stories through postnatal and breastfeeding Wananga (workshops). She is passionate about community and the sharing of music, laughter, tears and food. She no longer expects to come out the other side of grief, though feels much is to be gained through the showing up with kindness to our own experiences. Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at
www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
Jun 24, 202101:23:28
96. Grow with Grief: Katrina Weller
Jun 10, 202152:11
95.Spirituality & Grief: Dr. Terri Daniel

95.Spirituality & Grief: Dr. Terri Daniel

Dr. Terri Daniel is a hospice and hospital-trained spiritual care provider and end-of-life educator certified in death, dying and bereavement by the Association of Death Education and Counseling and in trauma support by the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She conducts workshops throughout the U.S. and teaches SPIRITUALITY AND BEREAVEMENT to chaplaincy students at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.
Terri is also the founder of The Afterlife Conference and the Ask Doctor Death podcast, and is the author of four books on death, grief and the afterlife. Terri had no idea what she’d be when she grew up until she was in her early 50s, when her son Danny died at age 16 after a long struggle with a rare metabolic disorder. Danny began communicating with her after his death, and his guidance -- in this world and the next -- changed everything.
Starting out as a hospice volunteer, Terri spend the next several years pursuing academic degrees in Religious Studies and Pastoral Counseling, and also founded the Afterlife Conference, which is now in its 11th year. Over the years Terri has helped hundreds of people learn to live, die and grieve more consciously.
Her work is acclaimed by hospice professionals, spiritual seekers, therapists theologians, and academics worldwide. Visit Terri’s websites at:
www.AfterlifeConference.com www.SpiritualityAndGrief.com www.DanielDirect.net
SPECIAL AFTERLIFE CONFERENCE DISCOUNT FOR LISTENERS OF THE DEATH DIALOGS PODCAST! Use promo code DDP to get $40 off general admission to the 2021 virtual conference.
Conference details and registration link can be found at www.AfterlifeConference.com
Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject


May 27, 202153:28
94. evolve beyond grief: Susan Kendal

94. evolve beyond grief: Susan Kendal

On May 20, 2014, Susan’s world came crashing down. Her 54-year old husband passed unexpectedly of a heart attack. The years since have been a whirlwind of emotion, trauma & joy (yes, she said joy, thanks mostly to the birth of her grandchildren). Over the next 5 years, Susan experienced additional heartache following the death of her dad & both of her brothers. She knew her only way to make sense of all her grief was to find a way to use her experiences to help others. So, armed with a coaching certificate, her learned experience and inspiration she set out to help the grieving. Initially evolve was created as a site to support others moving forward on their path after bereavement. Yet, in time, Susan recognized that the emotional and financial toll created by death is often made more overwhelming because society shuns all aspects of death. In order to truly make a positive impact, we must shatter the taboo about death. Welcome to Code Blue - an annual day dedicated to conversation and education about all things death. Susan encourages collaboration and dialogue so please reach out to her at evolve beyond grief on her website, Facebook and Instagram. Let’s normalize death – before it kills you. https://www.evolvebeyondgrief.com/ https://www.instagram.com/evolvebeyondgrief/ https://www.facebook.com/evolvebeyondgrief • evolvebeyondgrief@gmail.com Please follow The Death Dialogues Project and learn more about this project at www.deathdialogues.net where you will find links to podcast platforms and our social media. Instagram is our fave social media home @deathdialoguesproject
May 13, 202157:59
93. welcome to my messy mother's day: a dead mother, alcoholism & pure love

93. welcome to my messy mother's day: a dead mother, alcoholism & pure love

I grew up with an intense fear of losing my mom. The fear had a grip on me tighter than I realized. Her validation was all I needed in life. I grew up to become successful--earning a masters degree in forensic science and becoming an investigator which is what I had set out to do. She was so proud. I took on a hobby of photography which quickly became a small business.  She loved my photography--she was my  biggest fan.  Everything I did in life, I did for her pride and validation. Then, she died.  My source of self worth was ripped from my world and I was lost.  In the two years since my mom died, I've experienced the intense realization that pride comes from within. It sounds cliche--something everybody knows, right? But I gained a very clear understanding of what it meant to be 'okay' with myself.  Losing my mom was equally the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. It is an experience I feel every single day.  And I vow to not let the negative overpower the positive.  She wouldn't have wanted that.  But more importantly, neither do I. More of my story at: https://www.instagram.com/p/CL__PgQFLZA/?igshid=15w9e4npciqw9 @kate.b.photo Please go to www.deathdialogues.net to learn more about our project & find us on Instagram & FB. This podcast is available on most platforms. We’d love for you to subscribe & leave your comments. 🖤
May 09, 202151:32
92. Death Doula & Mediumship: Debra Diamond
Apr 29, 202156:34
91. The Grave Woman: Jo’el Simone Anthony

91. The Grave Woman: Jo’el Simone Anthony

I am so pleased to bring you this conversation with today’s guest:  My name is Joél Simone Anthony. I am a licensed funeral director and sacred grief practitioner. Originally from Beaufort, South Carolina, I was raised in the heart of Gullah and Geechee culture. Spirituality has always been a huge part of my life and professional approach which is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom passed down from community elders, generation to generation.  During my decade of service in the funeral service industry, I fashioned my unique background and professional experiences into a caliber and style of care and comfort that guides countless families toward healing through the exploration of alternative practices designed to help you navigate and heal through your journey with grief. It is my life's work to educate everyone –regardless of faith, race, age or status – that death, dying and grief are sacred and transformative to our journeys as human beings.  All of Jo’el’s links can found here https://linktr.ee/Thegravewoman Please go to www.deathdialogues.net to learn more about our project & find us on Instagram & FB. This podcast is available on most platforms. We’d love for you to subscribe & leave your comments. 🖤
Apr 15, 202155:34
90. Your Faithful Griever: Miriam Wasmund

90. Your Faithful Griever: Miriam Wasmund

On March 9th, 2016, Miriam's older brother and only sibling passed away suddenly from an overdose. She and her mother, both devastated from a loss they had spent a lifetime trying to avoid, were left to figure out what life looked like without him. One year later, Miriam's mother, wracked with grief, passed away from cancer after a steep decline and an all-too-brief diagnosis. Now the only surviving member of her tiny family unit, Miriam has been openly traveling through her grief in the hopes of helping even one person know they are not alone in the darkness and depth of their experience. Using her work in the fitness and wellness community, combined with being an accomplished performer and choreographer, she has allowed her life-altering experience and perspectives to be raw within her work as a way of helping to foster a healing balance between loss and the joys that still infuse life. Her hope is to create healing in herself and to facilitate others to share their stories in their journey towards healing.

In this episode she explores the differences between foreseen and unforeseen loss, the devastation left behind from addiction and the horrific pitfalls of the American healthcare system.

In 2019, inspired by letters she used to exchange with her family, Miriam went on to create "Your Faithful Reader," an experiential theater performance. Miriam lives in Brooklyn with her much loved cats and plants and believes her family is in everything she does and that they live on everywhere there is light, energy and joy in the world.


Www.yourfaithfulreader.com
@move2livenow
@rememberinghenry
@thegravelinmytravel

Move2livenow@gmail.com Please find out more about our project at www.deathdialogues.net
Apr 01, 202101:12:57
89. Kellie Curtain: What Will I Wear to your Funeral

89. Kellie Curtain: What Will I Wear to your Funeral

On this episode we hear about Kellie’s journey with her mother at end of life. Kellie Curtain is an author, journalist and communications expert with a love of family, her tribe of women, and the power of a bright lipstick. The mother of four has a degree in nothing but feels like she has a Masters in Procrastination. Writing a book was never part of her plan, let alone one including conversations with her dying mother. ‘What will I wear to your funeral?’ was named as a Distinguished Favourite in the New York City Big Book Awards. The memoir is funny and heartbreaking in equal parts and a powerful catalyst for prompting discussions many are fearful to have about dying. “ Reading this book was the most heart wrenching yet heart expanding experience.” Maggie Beer AM When invited to speak, Kellie’s is entertaining, thought provoking and uplifting. Kellie wrote her book whilst living in the Middle East. She had traded her career as a television news reporter for the role of trailing spouse. Six years as an expat taught her Pilates, pony riding and patience. It was underscored and enriched by female friendships that, though fleeting have left an indelible mark. She is a board member for Motherless Daughters Australia. The not for profit organisation has committed to building a support network for those who must navigate a future without their first and most influential relationship of all. Kellie is a natural storyteller, her humour, warmth and honesty is captivating. 

https://indeliblemarks.net 

Instagram: @indelible_marks 

Collaborations include : Advanced Care Planning Australia, Cabrini Health, Australian Industry of Funeral Professionals, Breast Cancer Network Australia.

Please follow along with The Death Dialogues Project at Instagram, on Facebook and our website . It is a tremendous support of this podcast, if you liked what you've heard, to go to your podcast platform and rate and comment on our conversations. Thanks for being here.

Mar 18, 202155:14
88. My Old Friend Death: Brooke Hartman

88. My Old Friend Death: Brooke Hartman

Brooke Hartman is a wife, mom, and friend. Death became an "old friend" early on in life with the loss of her grandfather- which acted as a catalyst to grief not associated with death. In her journey through multiple deaths of close friends and loved ones, Brooke learned that she had a desire to become more educated in regards to death and death practices She has become a nursing student at her local community college, where it's her goal to become an RN to work in hospice care to help educate and advocate for others regarding death. You can connect with Brooke on IG @bhartman7785. For more about the project please go to deathdialogues.net & find & follow us on Instagram @deathdialoguesproject & at FB. We’d love it if you’d help our mission by subscribing to the podcast & leaving a review. Your support is greatly appreciated. 🖤
Mar 04, 202148:28
87. Grief: A Love Story with Tara Caffelle
Feb 18, 202148:11
86. My Own Death as a Teacher : Kirsty Salisbury

86. My Own Death as a Teacher : Kirsty Salisbury

Kirsty Salisbury is driven by a passion to live her best life and to help others. A strong believer that we can all 'design' our future regardless of our circumstances. She's a dynamic speaker, a coach, and the host of the Let's Talk Life Design podcast.

Kirsty's passion comes from her own traumatic life event when just 3 weeks after her 12th birthday, she was left paralysed on her left side due to a rare brain malformation. It turned her world (and the world of her family) up side down. And there started what she calls 'her second life', one in which she aims to live consciously, filled with purpose and gratitude. Even at such a young age, Kirsty made the decision that this major life event would never define or limit her and she would in fact 'thrive'.

In the first few years following her illness, Kirsty dedicated everything to her recovery. She learned how to walk again, how to move her arm, then how to skip, then jump, and now the sky is the limit. Whilst every single day she is reminded of her journey, she is truly grateful for her experience, and continues to use the lessons she has learnt to push life's boundaries.
Jan 28, 202139:24
85. Loving & Living Your Way Through Grief

85. Loving & Living Your Way Through Grief

This fascinating conversation shares the shocking experience of being introduced to death at the age of 14 while working on the family owned ambulance and how more experiences with death expanded Emily Thiroux Threat to a place where she had a book that had to come out: Living and Loving Your Way Through Grief.

In Emily's words: Having gone through the experience of the death of two husbands and many family members and friends. I have much experience in the grieving process, and I have learned to face life with love, optimism, and joy. I have taught writing many years at the university level. My new book, Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief is being published by Mango Press. I facilitate Writing Through Grief groups to help others on their journey. My Email emily@lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com My website https://lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com/ https://linktr.ee/emily_thiroux_threatt My Private Facebook group Writing Through Grief with Emily https://www.facebook.com/groups/2869332503181276/ My Private Facebook Group Reclaiming Your Joy After Loss https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReclaimingYourJoyAfterLoss/ My Blog where you can sign up to be on my mailing list https://lovingandlivingyourwaythroughgrief.com/blog/ My Public Facebook Accounts Emily Thiroux Threatt Greif Transformation with Emily My course delivery site for classes on grief and writing https://www.reclaimingyourjoywithemily.com/ Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/emilythirouxthreatt/ YouTube Chanel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4Y0hr8M9Nn1x0T40bVmjg

Instagram: @Emily_thiroux_threat

Jan 14, 202157:47
84. Awakened by Death: Naila Francis

84. Awakened by Death: Naila Francis

Naila Francis is a certified death midwife and From Grief to Gratitude™ coach, as well as a wedding officiant, interfaith minister, poet and accomplished writer. Writing in fact was her first love, which led her to a career in print journalism for many years. Over the course of her career, she profiled artists and entertainers such as Yoko Ono, Sara Bareilles, India.Arie, Seal, James Earl Jones, k.d. lang, Pink and “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert. For many years, she also had her own column Life in LaLa Land, where she shared her personal journey, including grieving the loss of her mom’s partner and her own father, with readers. Her words have also appeared in greeting cards and publications such as Mystic Pop and Opera Philadelphia’s festival guides. Raised on the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia, Barbados and Antigua, Naila is an island girl at heart. She considers herself an ardent joy enthusiast, which some find an unlikely trait for someone who serves others in the realm of grief and dying. But she also deeply appreciates holding sacred space for people at life’s threshold moments, whether that’s entering a marriage, experiencing a deep loss or preparing for life’s final passage. Among her other passions is traveling to Tanzania, where she loves spending time with “her kids” at the orphanage she helps to support.
Jan 01, 202155:48
83. Wydowhood with Celeste

83. Wydowhood with Celeste

Celeste was married to her high school sweetheart and heaven sent soulmate. They were together for over 20 years and were married for 13. They were blessed with a big family as Celeste and Anthony were blessed with 8 children. Celeste's life came to an abrupt halt when her husband was diagnosed with sarcoma in the lungs in 2018. He passed 10 weeks after the diagnosis and ever since Celeste has been figuring out her life as a wydow and mother to 7 children. She lost a son 6 years ago, so with the lost of both her husband and her son she developed a passion to motivate others about love and how to rebuild their life after losing a loved one whether it's a spouse, friend, child, parent, sibling, or a friend's lost of someone dear to them. Celeste is rebuilding her life starting in the mud and she wants to share her journey with you all.
"I have always been the type to figure out a way to pull myself out of the mud that I was walking through. In those moments it was unsettling, uncomfortable, and any other 'un' prefix that's suitable to use. Trying to make yourself smile after enduring tragedy is a lot easier than many may think. It's about being able to smile and laugh about the good times. Sometimes, if not most, the sadness creeps back in and takes a seat in the corner waiting for its grand debut all over again, like it just couldn't stand to be missed. However, I like to help others look for the patch of grass on the other side of the snow filled mountain."
Wydowhood is a company that's built on the moral of helping wydows and wydowers. We use the letter 'Y', because 'Y' is always the question that we ask when we lose someone close to us, especially a spouse or even a child. 'Y' is also the summa cum laude of why we do things. It's the very reason of 'Y' we wake up in the morning. We always have to fulfill the 'Y'. Wydowhood is focused on turning the grieving connotation of 'Y' into the immediate reason for 'Y' it's important to move forward, but not move on. We offer services which include, but are not limited to, life insurance information, financial assistance, legal assistance, living will, talk psychology, grief counseling, family psychology, and more. We're here to lend two arms and an open community of welcoming fellow wydows and wydowers alike to share their testimonies and use our services.
Instagram: @wydowhood
YouTube: HERE
Dec 10, 202051:41