Ask Doctor Death

In this fascinating trip to the Victorian era we learn about a world in which people had a much healthier relationship with death than we have today, and the roots of what became the popular practice of commercial mediumship in the UK and the U.S. Our guest Jennifer Ingraham collects, buys and sells antiques specfically related to death and mourning in the Victorian period. Her collection of unique objects includes memorial hair wreaths, clothing, post-mortem photography, viewing coffins, and a wide variety of curious ceremonial objects that were commonly used at the time.  She also shares fascinating stories about the spiritualist movement in the early 20th century and its views of death and the afterlife in contrast to the restricted, medicalized views held today.Some key points: How Queen Victoria influenced how we grieveHow the industrial revolution changed our relationship with deathWealth, power and social change Changes within the church, abundance of new denominations Science, medicine, and death rates Death Items of the Victorians: Spiritualism and the Seance Famous individuals that attended/hosted seances Spiritualism as entertainment (and its downfall)Changing views of death To see some of  Jennifer's collection visit:https://www.facebook.com/p/Stair-11-100054252080350/ABOUT JENNIFER: Jennifer Ingraham livesat the foot of the Beartooth mountains in rural Montana with her husband and two daughters. After growing up in a family of educators, Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in secondary English education before choosing to pursue antiques as a full-time career.  Collecting, buying, and selling death and mourning related antiques has become her focus for the last decade. Her involvement in the field of mourning and death memorabilia, as well as her own personal losses, led to her to current pursuit of a Master's in Thanatology degree at Marian University.

Barbara Karnes, RN is an 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 35 million copies world wide. With its publication and distribution, Barbara created one of the most important tools in the end of life movement today.  

Today's interview with writer/director/producer Stephen Z. Berkley touches on a vast spectrum of topics related to interdimensional communication, mediumship and bereavement, as addressed in his award-winning documentary, Life With Ghosts. While Stephen has worked in multiple capacities inside the media industry for more than 30 years, Life With Ghosts is his first fully self-produced feature film. The story idea came with the death of Stephen's father, when shortly afterwards, his mother began reporting interactions with whom she believed to be Dad's ghost — a real-life Mrs. Muir situation… which naturally begs the question: Are ghosts a real phenomenon or are they merely symptomatic of profound grief? Life With Ghosts is the culmination of a seven-year investigation into the nature of love, loss and after-death communication and features three survivors' quests for answers. For more about the film and Stephen's work, click HERE to view his recently-published TED talk, and visit the film's website at www.LifeWithGhosts.com

Ever since his 2015 TED talk, Christopher Kerr MD had rapidly risen to become a household name in the field of death and afterlife studies.  His background in research has evolved from bench science towards the human experience of illness as witnessed from the bedside, specifically patient's dreams and visions at the end of life. The results of his studies generated enormous response in the non-medical community, both nationally and internationally, through coverage that has included the New York Times, Huffington Post, The Atlantic, BBC, Scientific American and Psychology Today.Dr. Kerr has overseen the integration and expansion of palliative care into local hospitals and developed one of the nation's largest home-based palliative care programs, Home Connections, and Essential Care for Children. He has lectured and published on innovative program models that are designed to better align patient/family services to the complexity of needs inherent to advanced illness. Learn more about Dr. Kerr at DrChristopherKerr.com.Read Dr. Kerr's extraordinary research HERE. He will be one of our honored speakers at the upcoming CONFERENCE ON DEATH GRIEF AND BELIEF  online August 24, 2024. 

Dr. Joshua Black is one of the presenters at our upcoming 2024 Conference on Death, Grief and Belief (online August 24, 2024).  His reasearch on the dreams of the bereaved provides a foundation for helping grieving individuals use new tools for processing loss.  Dr. Black holds a MA and PhD in Psychology. He is a grief and bereavement researcher, speaker, educator, and host of the Grief Dreams podcast. His work focuses on dreams and continuing bonds after loss, including prenatal and pet loss. As one of the leading academic experts in grief dreams, which can be dreams of the deceased, Joshua has directed his efforts on raising awareness about this fascinating phenomenon through media interviews, including PBS Next Avenue, Los Angeles Times, CBC News, and Toronto Sun, in addition to speaking engagements and workshops. Dr. Black currently works as the Bereavement Initiative Manager for the BC Centre for Palliative Care, where he is leading grief and bereavement research. He also teaches psychology courses at the University of the Fraser Valley. His long-term research goals are to continue to serve and raise awareness of those who are bereaved and those who are not being provided the necessary grief support. Dr. Black lives on the unceded Stó:lō Territory known to settlers as the Fraser Valley and lower Fraser Canyon of British Columbia, Canada.IMPORTANT LINKS: How Grief Dreams Can Help You HealAttend Our 2024 Conference!Online, Saturday August 24. TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND STAY INFORMED ABOUT UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND PODCAST EPISODES, CLICK HERE.

We are very honored to have Professor Richard Groves with us today, and as part of our roster for the 2024 Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, which takes place ONLINE on August 24. Richard is an internationally respected teacher of the sacred art of living and dying. A chaplain for more than twenty five years, Richard speaks nine languages and has earned graduate degrees in theology, ethics, world religions and law. Richard and his wife, Mary, are the founders of the Sacred Art of Living Center in Bend, Oregon.More than 20,000 students around the world, including health care professionals, faith community leaders and the larger public, have graduated from the Groves' spiritual education programs. Richard is co-author of The American Book of Living & Dying: Lessons in Healing Spiritual Pain, and the creator of The Anamcara Project, a first-of-its-kind internship in the sacred art of living and dying.For more about Richard's work, visit https://sacredartofliving.org/about-our-programs/Our August 24 conference: https://deathgriefandbelief.com/2024-summer-dgb-conference/TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND STAY INFORMED ABOUT UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND PODCAST EPISODES, CLICK HERE. 

We are thrilled to have Dr. Shushan with us again this year. His body of work in the field of near-death studies is unrivaled  on near-death experience is unrivaled.  He is a historian of religions, an award-winning author, and the leading authority on near-death experiences and the afterlife across cultures and throughout history. His books include The Next World: Extraordinary Experiences of the Afterlife, Near-Death Experiences in Indigenous Religions, and Near-Death Experience in Ancient Civilizations (coming soon from Inner Traditions). His forthcoming titles include The Historical Anthology of Near-Death Experiences, and Mind Dust and White Crows: The Psychical Research of William James (both as editor). Dr. Shushan is a Visiting Research Fellow at University of Winchester's Centre for Death, Religion and Culture; Adjunct Professor of Thantaology at Marian University; and Research Fellow of the Parapsychology Foundation. He was formerly Perrott-Warrick Researcher at University of Oxford's Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion;  Scholar-in Residence at the Centro Incontri Umani (The Cross Cultural Centre), Ascona, Switzerland; and Honorary Research Fellow at the Religious Experience Research Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He has lectured at universities in the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland and has given numerous talks on his research in nine countries, and has appeared on the History Channel.Here's what leading scholars are saying about his work: “Gregory Shushan has produced the most important scholarly work on near-death experiences in the last thirty years. He describes the process by which, despite regular attempts to marginalize its power, the NDE has been perhaps the most important shaper of religious creativity in human history. This is a journey and an argument as fascinating and as engrossing as the social history of mankind itself.” -- Allan Kellehear, Clinical Professor, University of Vermont.“Near-Death Experience in Indigenous Religions is a tour de force.  By comparing recorded cases from North America, Africa, and Oceania, Shushan presents a compelling argument for the centrality of near-death experiences to the development of religious ideas across time and culture. Any future discussions of NDEs and the origins of religion will need to take Shushan's major contribution into account.”  -- Fiona Bowie, Research Affiliate, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, Oxford University; and founder of Afterlife Research Center “Gregory Shushan's new book provides a uniquely insightful and provocative analysis of near-death experiences that documents their formative influence on worldwide beliefs about an afterlife. His ethnological perspective results in a more comprehensive understanding of NDEs than a purely biological or psychological model can provide, and suggests that afterlife beliefs are rooted not in culture but in the universal human experience of NDEs. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand NDEs and their role in society.” -- Bruce Greyson, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia.READ MORE: https://www.gregoryshushan.com/Dr. Shushan will be presenting at our 2024 Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, online Saturday August 24, 2024.  DETAILS HERE   

In support of our upcoming Summer 2024 Death, Grief and Belief Conference, one of our esteemed speakers, Dr. Ken Doka, spoke with us about two phenomena that often occur as death approaches... terminal lucidity and nearing-death awareness. For an overview of Dr. Doka's stellar credentials, click HERE. 

Ep. 439 Medical Aid in Dying: A Chaplain's Perspective with Rev. Dr. Terri Daniel   This episode aired on 1/22/24 on Dr. Karen Wyatt's END OF LIFE UNIVERSITY podcast. This episode includes: . The history of medical aid in dying in Oregon . How EOLCOR (End-of-Life Choices Oregon) assists people who want to utilize medical aid in dying . The wide variations in hospice policies around medical aid in dying . Dilemmas around communicating with family members who don't support MAID . How MAID differs from suicide and why we need to understand that difference. A beautiful end-of-life ritual Terri created for a person utilizing MAID . Why some chaplains feel conflicted about supporting medical aid in dying . Religious objections to MAID . The “don't ask, don't tell” policy about MAID in some hospices. Dementia directive for advance care planningRecent Articles: Ep. 438 How to Choose the Best Hospice for Your Loved One with Barbara Karnes RN Ep. 437 Holding Space for Birth and Death with Amy Wright Glenn BONUS: Casting Call for Docuseries on Grief with Kim Clevenger Ep. 436 Highlights of 2023: The Best of the Best with Karen Wyatt MD Ep. 435 Home Funerals as an Option After Death with Jerrigrace Lyons 

Dr. Deborah Aronson is a Philadelphia veterinarian who has a unqiue background for her work in end-of-life care for animals and grief support for the people that love them.  At one point in her career, after she'd had a private veterinary practice for several years, she trained as chaplain in a human hospital to develop her spiritual care skills. Observing the suffering of dying patients on life support created a stark contrast with the compassion we show to our pets when they face life-threatening illness or injury. Deborah Aronson VMD, cVMA, has been working in small animal primary care since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. In 2008 she launched Final Blessings, a housecall euthanasia service specific to cats. She obtained certification in veterinary medical acupuncture in 2014, and then launched Main Line Veterinary Integrative Practice LLC, offering in-home palliative and end of life care for all small animals. Deborah  has followed her passion in providing spiritual care by volunteering as a NOMV Lifeboat peer supporter and advocate, as well as intensive interfaith chaplaincy training in clinical pastoral education (CPE).  

CONTENT WARNING! This conversation addresses bodily death and disposition, and contains graphic descriptions of what happens to a body during death, mortuary care, decomposition, cremation and more. If these topics are uncomfortable for you, listen with caution (or skip this episode). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Daniel talk with Michaelene Dowers, an Indiana-based funeral director who is licensed in seven states and teaches  courses in funeral services for death care professionals who seek guidance in culturally or socially sensitive decedent care.With nearly a decade of experience as a funeral director in Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, California, Indiana, Oregon, and Idaho, Michaelene is experienced at navigating the many variations in funeral service law and protocol found throughout the United States. She holds a  B.A. in religious studies from Grand Canyon University, an M.A. in emergency/crisis management from American Military University, and an M.A. in thanatology (study of death and dying, grief, loss and bereavement) from Marian University that will have conferred in Summer of 2023. Michaelene currently serves as an adjunct professor in the funeral service degree programs at Mid-America College of Funeral Service and at Arapahoe Community College in Denver, as well being a visiting lecturer in funeral service at other colleges nationwide.LINKS OF INTEREST... Tales from the Lawn Crypt podcast: https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthelawncrypt/Tales from the Lawn Crypt Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/talesfromthelawncryptFuneral Service Education: https://www.instagram.com/quietus_beeContact Michaelene:Michaelene@QuietusBee.com 

Dr. Korie Leigh is a child life specialist and grief counselor whose new book What Does Grief Feel LIke is for chidren who are grieving, and includes a guide for parents and caregivers on how to support a child's journey through loss and grief.   In this episode Dr. Leigh addresses an array of topics, incuding pet death, preparing children for attending funerals, the best (and the worst) language to use when talking to children  about death, and the importance of death education in early childhood. The book can be purchased in all the usual places, but we recommend purchasing it from www.bookshop.org, which helps to support local bookstores.     About Dr. Leigh With training as a child life specialist and grief counselor, Dr. Korie Leigh has spent over 16 years specializing in working with children and families experiencing grief and loss. As an associate professor and program director, she teaches graduate courses on child development, death, dying, and bereavement.  Dr. Leigh obtained her Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology, where she wrote her dissertation on the lived experiences of bereaved parents. She also holds an M.A. in public health and grief counseling and a B.A. in child development. She speaks and presents at national and regional conferences on issues of grief, loss, and coping. Dr. Leigh lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 

 Rev. Caffie Risher is a Christian pastor and grief counselor who is deeply aware  of the presence of toxic theology in scripture and in the teachings of the church. She infuses her ministry for the bereaved with clear, critical thinking and a non-dogmatic approach to spirituality in the process of grief and mourning.  Caffie has early recollections of walking dirt roads in the south with her grandmother  Jessie Mae where they would take care of relatives and community members when there was a death in the family or if someone was sick and needed help.  Both her mother, Earlene Williams Risher, and grandmother taught her Christ-care, compassion, and pastoral concern for others at an early age. For Caffie, it is life's experiences, her own mortality, death of loved ones, personal loss, grief, educational experiences, and certifications that have all shaped and equipped her for this journey to minister hope and healing to those who are hurting. In 2002 she  was appointed to the position of “Minority Scholar” teaching public speaking and introduction to business courses at Passaic County Community College.  Eighteen years later she holds the position of a tenured Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator of Public Speaking in the Fine and Performing Arts Department.  She teaches Public Speaking, Business Communication, Business Writing, and Death and Dying courses.  She also serves as chair of the Distinguished Lecturer Series and faculty advisor to the Power in Christ Christian Club who won the Emerging Club Award for excellent campus involvement and exceptional leadership.Prior to this, she held a post at New York Theological Seminary where she taught for several years in the Certificate of Ministry program.   For more on this topic, read this article: Does the Hebrew Bible Sanctify Mass Murder… and Disregard the Resulting Trauma?

In the field of death and bereavement studies, Dr. Ken Doka is one of today's premiere thought leaders and researchers  (his publications and credits are too numerous to list, but you can find them all HERE). To name just a few,  he's written and/or co-authored numerous books that are used as required texts in college courses on psychology and grief, including: . Dying & Death: Life & Living . When We Die: Extraordinary Experiences at Life's End . Living with Grief since COVID-19. Intimacy and Sexuality during Illness and Loss .  Aging America: Coping with loss, dying, and death in later life . Transforming Loss: Finding Potential for Growth . When Grief Is Complicated,  . The Longest Loss: Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Helping Adolescents Cope with Loss ... and many more. In addition to these books, he has published over 100 articles and book chapters.  Dr. Doka is editor of both Omega: The Journal of Death and Dying and Journeys: A Newsletter to Help in Bereavement. He has an ongoing blog for Psychology Today entitled Good Mourning.We are delighted to welcome him as a presenter  in our upcoming SYMPOSIUM ON DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT STUDIES.

We are very excited to presesnt this interview with Robert A. Neimeyer, Ph.D., who is among the leading researchers in the field of death and bereavement. His work is legendary, and when you listen to this podcast, you'll find him to be extremely compassionate, articulate and wise.  Dr. Neimeyer is a professor in the department of psychology, University of Memphis, and also serves as director of the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, which offers training and certification in grief therapy.  Since completing his doctoral training  in 1982, he has published 30 books, including a series of volumes on Techniques of Grief Therapy and Grief and the Expressive Arts, the latter with Barbara Thompson, and serves as Editor of the journal Death Studies. He has published more than  500 articles and book chapters, and is currently working to advance a more adequate theory of grieving as a meaning-making process, both in his published work and through his frequent professional workshops for national and international audiences.  Neimeyer served as president of the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC), and chair of the International Work Group for Death, Dying, & Bereavement. In recognition of his  contributions, he has been granted the Eminent Faculty Award by the University of Memphis, made a fellow of the clinical psychology division of the American Psychological Association, and given Lifetime Achievement Awards by both the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the International Network on Personal Meaning.Related Links of Interest: The Portland Institute for Loss and TransistionRobert Neimeyer websiteRobert Neimeyer's booksSymposium on Death and Bereavement StudiesMarian University Thanatology Program 

Hello friends!In preparation for a training program I'm designing for a local hospice, I've decided to record this commentary on the "stage theory" of grief so that this information can be easily accessible to students.  It's a short episode, and it's loaded with important information for anybody who works professionally with bereavement, or for any bereaved person who wants to better understand the mourning process.  Here are some of the supportive materials I mentioned in the podcast. Perhaps the most important -- and most relevant to this conversation -- is the first one, Stroebe & Schut's discussion about the stages of grief: . Bereaved Persons Misguided Through the Stages of Grief . Therese Rando's “Six Rs of Mourning” . William Worden's “Tasks of Mourning.”  

When a child is terminally ill, parents agonize over how to tell the child about their prognosis, and how to decide when to stop treatment when a cure is no longer possible. Their anguish is fueled by a range of ethical, emotional and spiritual dilemmas, and there is never an easy or an obvious answer. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Steinhorn, an academic pediatrician who practices intensive care and hospice medicine for children.  He led the Judith Nan Joy Integrative Medicine Research Initiative at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago from 2002-2010 and founded palliative care programs at major children's hospitals.  He is currently developing children's hospice programs in Washington, DC and San Diego, California.  Dr. Steinhorn has additional training in energy medicine, yoga, meditation, and shamanism, studying with teachers from the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, the Four Winds Society, and Dr. Carl Greer, and has brought shamanic healing approaches to his critical care practice in children's hospitals across the country.   LINKS: To learn more about Dr. Steinhorn's work, click HERE. Watch Dr. Steinhorn and his collaborator Jana Din demonstrate their transpersonal medicine approach  in this nationally broadcast television segment titled "Shamans in the ICU." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBQ7QKmHwAY

Since the beginning of human thought, we've pondered the great metaphysical question,  "What happens when we die?" But now, thanks to modern medical technology, a new question has emerged that has practical, down-to-earth implications...  "What happens when we don't die?" In today's episode, Dr. Karen Wyatt and Dr. Terri Daniel explore an aspect of end-of-life care that is not often discussed, and may even be a bit difficult to listen to.  Because today we're talking about about the horrors of life extension,  and we give some powerful examples of what happens when we're kept alive far past the point when the body is ready to die a natural death.  It's an uncomfortable topic, because it addresses scenarios and outcomes that could  potentially apply to any of us.    RELATED LINKS: . Oregon Death with Dignity Q&A. Dementia Provision for Advance Directives. End-of-Life University podcast. The Conference on Death, Grief and BeliefRELATED STATISTICS:. The population of Americans  65 and older is projected to grow from 58 million in 2021 to 88 million by 2050  . In 1901, only 50 percent of white females survived to the age of 60 years, and only about 5 percent of those survived to the age of 90.  By contrast, in In 2004, about 90 percent of white females survived to the age of 60, and more than 25 percent   survived to the age of 90.[2]. While older adults comprise just 12% of the population, they make up approximately 18% of suicides. men ages 85 and older having the highest rate of any group in the country  [3][1] https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK51841/#:~:text=Only%204.5%20percent%20(about%201.5,million)%20live%20in%20the%20community.[3] https://www.ncoa.org/article/suicide-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know

Rev. Peter Panagore has been pronouced dead twice; once after freezing to death while ice climbing, and again, years later, after a heart attack.  Both times he returned with memories of a detailed out-of-body journey. Peter now hosts Not Church: Mysticism. No Doctrine. No Dogma on his YouTube Channel, where he deconstructs The Bible in light of his near-death experiences.In this episoide, Peter describes --  in great detail --  the exact process of dying, which in itself is quite stunning. But beyond that, he was also able to remember what he perceived and felt in the non-physical state commonly known as death. A graduate of Yale Divinity School with a focus on western mysticism, Peter is a two-time Near-death Experiencer and International Audible best-selling author of Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning, His first best-seller, Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit, is drawn from among the seventeen hundred inspirational stories of hope he wrote and told on his daily two-minute TV/FM spot for 15 years, broadcast on two NBC-TV stations in New England reaching 30 million views each year. His Yale master's degree focused on The Classics of Western Mysticism, and he also holds a BAin English Literature from the University of Massachusetts. Visit Peter's website:https://www.peterpanagore.love/Learn about THE CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEFhttp:www.deathgriefandbelief.com

  Rev. Peter Panagore has been pronouced dead twice; once after freezing to death while ice climbing, and again, years later, after a heart attack.  Both times he returned with memories of a detailed out-of-body journey. Peter now hosts Not Church: Mysticism. No Doctrine. No Dogma on his YouTube Channel, where he deconstructs biblical content in light of his near-death experiences. A graduate of Yale Divinity School with a focus on western mysticism, Peter is a two-time Near-death Experiencer and International Audible Best-Selling Author of Heaven Is Beautiful: How Dying Taught Me That Death Is Just the Beginning, His first best-seller, Two Minutes for God: Quick Fixes for the Spirit, is drawn from among the seventeen hundred inspirational stories of hope he wrote and told on his daily two-minute TV/FM spot for 15 years, broadcast on two NBC-TV stations in New England reaching thirty million views each year. His Yale master's degree focused on The Classics of Western Mysticism, and he holds a BA is in English Literature from the University of Massachusetts.Peter will be one of the presenters at our 2022 CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEF. Peter's website:https://www.peterpanagore.love/

Joshua Bowen PhD  graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2017 with a Ph.D. in Assyriology and a minor in Hebrew Bible, and  specializes in the Sumerian, Akkadian, and Hebrew languages.  In this interview, he educates us about the ancient texts that pre-date the  Hebrew bible and provided the myths and stories upon which biblical narratives were built. We talk specifically about the Exodus story, and the methods used by scholars to determine what is historically accurate  and what is not. For anybody interested in religious history, or even in religious devotion, this conversation can help you separate the myth from the meaning. As well as his Ph.D., Josh holds a B.S. in Religion from Liberty University, a Th.M. in the Old Testament from Capital Bible Seminary, and a M.A. in Near Eastern Studies from the Johns Hopkins University. He has published four books, including the best-selling The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, Volume I, Did the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?, Learning to Pray in a Dead Language, and Learn to Read Ancient Sumerian: An Introduction for Complete Beginners (co-authored with his wife, Megan Lewis). He also has two books forthcoming (2022): The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, Volume II, and Learn to Read Ancient Sumerian, Volume II.. Check out Joshua's YouTube channel HERE . Read Joshua's book, THE ATHEIST HANDBOOK TO THE OLD TESTAMENT(or listen to the audio book).  

Dr. Clint Heacock gives us a sneak peek at the the presentation he'll be giving at our 2022 CONFERENCE ON DEATH GRIEF AND BELIEF, in which he will share a  practical roadmap for the deconstruction journey.This information is relevant -- and critical -- for a growing segment of our population. In Pew Research Center surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65% of American adults described themselves as Christians, down 12 points over the past decade. Similarly, the number of people who identify as atheist, agnostic or “nothing in particular,” has increased by 9% since 2009. Clint is a former evangelical pastor and bible college teacher. He holds a PhD in preaching and biblical studies from the University of Chester in the UK. Although he grew up in a fundamentalist Christian environment, he has since deconstructed his former faith and walked away from Christianity altogether. Since leaving evangelicalism he has been the host of The MindShift Podcast. The aim of the show is to educate people on the dangers of the Christian Right, dominion theology, destructive cults, and religious trauma syndrome--and help reconstruct their lives, post-religion.You can find Clint in all the usual places:Website: mindshiftpodcast.co.ukOn Twitter:  @MindShift2018On Facebook: The Mindshift Podcast Group 

If you identify as “spiritual but not religious,” you are not alone. Do you know there's now an acronym for that?  It's called S.B.N.R., and it's a new buzzword that signals a growing trendIn this audio excerpt from the 2022 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies, Dr. Terri Daniel explains what it means to be “Spiritual But Not Religious." As more and more Americans relinquish specific religious identities , the movement has earned its own acronym… SBNR. Along with the designation of SBNR, two additional categories have emerged known as “none” (no particular religious affiliation) and ”done” (no longer affiliated). The rise of “Nones, Dones and SBNRs” (N/D/SBNR) in America's spiritual landscape is a source of heated debate in many theological circles, and as one might expect, opinions are often divided along party lines. Conventional religious communities think it's unacceptable to “cherry pick” spiritual ideas and cobble together a personal theology.  But on the other side of the aisle, progressive thinkers can't imagine relating to the divine any other way. As an example of two vastly different views from noted theologians, Harvard Divinity professor Harvey Cox  observes that “people are drawn more to the experiential than to the doctrinal elements of religion.”[1]  And in stark contrast, UCC minister Rev. Lillian Daniel disdainfully refers to SBNR theology as a “cheap god of self-satisfaction.” [2] Read more here: https://deathgriefandbelief.com/spiritual-but-not-religious/Learn about our CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEF: http:www.deathgriefandbelief.com

Meet Seth Andrews, a former Christian broadcaster and believer of 30 years who escaped the bonds of fundamentalism to become one of the leading voices for atheism and free thought. His podcast The Thinking Atheist, is one of the most popular atheist communities on the internet, offering a relaxed environment and a rage-free challenge to the religious beliefs that defined his youth.Firmy rooted in his faith (and with a perfect radio voice), Seth hosted a show on Christian radio from 1990 to 2000. But a series of personal and political events triggered his doubts about  Christian doctrine, and in 2004, after watching a video of atheist Christopher Hitchens debating Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Seth decided to leave his religion.Finding no community of other atheists in his area, he decided to build an atheist community online. He created a website and Facebook page, both called The Thinking Atheist, to connect with other non-believers online. Find Seth here: TwitterThe Thinking AtheistFacebookSeth's new book!  Seth will be a keynote speaker at our 2022 CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEF Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This episode will introduce you to the most in-depth research available to date on NDEs throughout history and across cultures... with some fascinating information about how those accounts have influenced religoius beliefs and cultural practices over time.Our guest Gregory Shushan PhD  is the leading authority on near-death experiences in  historical reports.  He points out, among other things, that stories of NDEs over thousands of years have contributed to the establishment of religious beliefs, and conversely, those beliefs also influence what we experience in our NDEs. Gregory is a research fellow of the Parapsychology Foundation, and was formerly Perrott-Warrick Researcher at University of Oxford's Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion;  Scholar-in Residence at the Centro Incontri Umani (The Cross Cultural Centre), Ascona, Switzerland; and Honorary Research Fellow at the Religious Experience Research Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David. He has lectured at universities in the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland and has given numerous talks on his research in nine countries, and has appeared on the History Channel. GREGORY'S WEBSITES: Article on how near-death experiences inform afterlife beliefsGregoryShushan.comNew book! The Next World: Extraordinary Experiences of the AfterlifeMEET GREGORY AT THE 2022 CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEF!www.deathgriefandbelief.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This is a special bonus episode where Dr. Karen and Dr. Terri interview each other .We decided it was time to do some self-disclosure so that our listeners could learn more about the unique experiences that inspired us to pursue careers in end-of-life care.   If you've ever wondered what would make someone want to spend their time in the presence of death and grief, you'll find a lot of answers in this episode. Our backstories are very different, but come from a similar source... an instinct to process our own losses through witnessing and supporting the grief of others.  And a lifelong interest in the journey of the soul. RELATED LINKS: Karen's websiteTerri's websiteThe Conference on Death, Grief and BeliefSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Dan is one half of the brilliantly funny team that hosts the THANK GOD I'M ATHEIST podcast, which recently marked its 500th episode! Co-host Frank Feldman wasn't available for the interview unfortunately, but Dan did a fantastic job of educating us about all things ExMo (Ex-Mormon), and the absurdities of bibical literalism, blind allegiance to faith doctrines and the "unapologetically cheesy" videos used by Mormons to convert people via Facebook. Both Frank and Dan grew up as Mormon kids in Salt Lake City, but fled the cult-like environment as soon as they were old enough to use their critical thinking  skills.  Their podcast  tackles the issues of the day and recasts them in an Atheist light, sharing humorous and entertaining perspectives on politics, current events, and all things religious or otherwise.And.... Frank and Dan will be keynote speakers at our upcoming CONFERENCE ON DEATH, GRIEF AND BELIEF!(APOLOGIES FOR SOME ROUGH SPOTS IN THE AUDIO! )Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Today Dr. Death speaks with Pesach Eisen, MCH-LP,  a psychotherapist and researcher focusing primarily on the intersection of religious disaffiliation and mental health. He was raised in an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jewish faith community, from which he departed during his 20s. In his current role at a non-profit organization called Footsteps, he offers individual and group psychotherapy to those who have left or are contemplating leaving Orthodox Jewish communities. Both personally and professionally, he has wrestled with themes such as dignity, faith, humanity, identity, loss, meaning, morality, mortality, religion, spirituality, trauma, values, death, grief, and belief. Pesach holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and neuroscience, as well as a Master of Arts degree in mental health counseling.Our interview covers  a lot of fascinating topics, including: Do  we really have a choice about our inherited religion if we're never taught to develop critical thinking skills or inner resources?Can grief be managed by customs and traditions rather than allowing it to follow its natural trajectory toward healing?   Do the benefits of living in a supportive community outweigh the cost of suppressing our authentic self?  Films about Orthodox Judaism: ONE OF USTREMBLING BEFORE G-DUNORTHODOXSHTISELSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Today we are delighted to be speaking with Johanna Lunn, director of the film In the Realm of Death & Dreaming, which  is the first of four documentaries in a series entitled When You Die. In the film, Johanna asks the big question... Does consciousness continue after death, or is it lights out? Johanna guides viewers on a personal journey to find answers by exploring stories of near death experiences, deathbed visions and mystical journeys.  She also speaks with leading clinicians and researchers who have spent their careers studying these experiences and the nature of consciousness.  The documentary features:  Dean Radin, PhD, Chief Scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences;  Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, School of Integrative Medicine, U. of AZ;  Anthony Bossis, PhD, NYU Medical Centre psilocybin trials;  Penny Sartori, PhD author of The Transformative Power of Near Death Experiences;  Peter Fenwick, MD, Neuropsychologist and author of The Art of Dying;  Andrew Holecek, author of Preparing to Die; David Maginley, author Beyond Surviving, and others.Johanna is an award-winning filmmaker who has worked in film and television for more than 35 years. In that time, she has helped start up a PBS station in Colorado; created a ground-breaking children's film festival in Canada; and was Artistic Director of the Atlantic Film Festival. She was also head of CTV's Atlantic Canadian Development Office; launched specialty channel IFC Canada; produced and directed over 150 hours of award-winning television; and directed five documentary films, one of which won Best Documentary in its class at Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival for Forgiveness: Stories for Our Time.    Watch the trailer for In the Realm of Death & Dreaming  HERE. Learn more about The Afterlife Conference HERESUBSCRIBE to our newsletter Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

We've had many conversations here on Ask Doctor Death about a variety of religious views, but have rarely touched on Jewish  beliefs and practices around death, dying and bereavement.  In this episode, we are honored to present Rabbi Sarah Rensin, a hospice chaplain with a very  progressive perspective on Judaism. Rabbi Sarah was ordained at the Academy for Jewish Religion California in 2015. After ordination, she used her background in fine art and teaching to create a dynamic Jewish education curriculum at the Jewish Day School in Bellevue Washington. During her years working at JDS she continued her education and became certified as a clinical chaplain. She  worked as a rabbi and chaplain at Evergreen Hospice in Washington, and was instrumental in creating programs for spiritual care support for hospital clinicians during the Covid-19 pandemic. In late 2020 Rabbi Sarah moved to Oregon, where she currently works for Signature Hospice. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Today's guest is Rev. Kevin Bradley, who serves on the board of the Final Exit Network, an organization that supports the human right to a death with dignity. The Final Exit Network (FEN) believes  that mentally competent adults who suffer from a terminal illness, intractable physical pain, chronic or progressive physical disabilities, or who face loss of autonomy and selfhood through dementia, have a basic human right to choose to end their lives when they judge their quality of life to be unacceptable.Kevin acts as a spiritual counselor and "exit guide" for FEN's clients, and in our interview he will describe what these roles entail and the variety of spiritual issues he encounters in his work.Kevin has a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School, completed an extended post-graduate residency at the VA hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is ordained in the United Church of Christ. Prior to joining FEN, Kevin testified in the Minnesota Senate in support of medical aid in dying and co-founded Interfaith Clergy for End-of-Life Options. He has served as a hospital and hospice chaplain and is currently a professional writer, speaker, and holistic stress management counselor.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

In this special episode, Dr. Daniel talks with Andrew Jasko M.Div (MA Counseling Psychology in progress).  Andrew was a Princeton Seminary educated minister and missionary before he left his religion because of the severe psychological trauma he experienced  as a result of toxic beliefs.  He initially rejected religion and spirituality entirely, but then had an unexpected awakening to mystical experiences through psychedelics, meditation and other practices. Unlike many "deconstructed" Christians, Andrew  ultimately found a way to embrace non-physical planes of consciousness without wrapping them in a religious context. Our conversation covers a lot of ground, from religious trauma syndrome and childhood hell indoctrination to the use of psychedelics to assist individuals in releasing oppressive, fear-based religious ideas and reclaiming a  healthy, authentic connection with spirituality. LINKS REFERENCED IN THE INTERVIEWAndrew Jasko's website: www.LifeAfterDogma. orgBook a Discovery Session with Andrew to learn about coaching: https://innerfreedomsession.as.me/ The Conference on Religious Traumahttps://pheedloop.com/CORT/site/ The Sinners Prayer  for Grief Recovery?!  https://www.griefshare.org/healing/godRecommended books on religious trauma:Leaving the FoldBreaking Their WillGrief and God: When Religion Does More Harm Than Healing Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This episode includes profanity and religion-bashing. If these things offend you, listen at your own risk. In this episode, Doctor Death talks with three incredibly funny and brilliant ex-Mormons known in the podcast world as Uncle Dan, Uncle Doug and Uncle Mark... The How-to-Heretics . It's a great conversation in which we explore religious belief in general (and the lack thereof), and Mormon cosmology in particular, with its super-weird afterlife scenario. https://howtoheretic.com/abouthttps://howtoheretic.com/podcastInterested in topics related to end-of-life, death care, near-death experience and related afterlife studies? Subscribe to our newsletter HERE. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

WARNING! If you aren't comfortable with conversations about religion or politics, this episode talks about both and how they are entwined in today's America. We also talk about the toxic nature of Judeo-Christian theology and images of God, so if these topics (and a little profanity) make you uncomfortable, we respectfully suggest that you don't listen to this episode. Or if you do, listen at your own risk.Our guest today is Dr. Clint Heacock, a former Christian, former pastor and former bible college teacher who talks about his childhood in an evangelical cult and his eventual escape from it. He produces The Mindshift Podcast, which focuses on deconstructing views of God, cults and religion. In terms of end-of-life care, hospice work and spiritual care for the dying, these issues are extremely important because many of our patients and counseling clients are struggling with theological notions of suffering, biblical edicts about "sinful grief," and the cruelty of proselytizing to someone on their deathbed. If you are questioning your inherited religious beliefs and practices, then Dr. Heacock is someone you'll want to know. Enjoy the episode!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Kitty Edwards, MA is the executive director of The Living & Dying Consciously Project. She is an Ayni Energy practitioner who helps those confronted by death find the courage to release their fears, and a graduate of Sandra Ingerman’s Core Shamanism and the Light Body School of The Four Winds Society. She is the co-founder of the No Regrets Project and Conversations on Death in Boulder, Colorado. Preparing for death as a rite of passage requires courage and creativity. In this episode, Kitty talks about how to develop personal death awareness rituals based on the wisdom of ancient traditions as well as current research in the field. This work can expand our understanding of the psychological and emotional closure needed in the dying process, and. enable family members, caretakers, medical and hospice staff, grief counselors, and chaplains to more actively support the dying. Find Kitty's guidebook -- Conscious Transitions - Living with Dying -- HERE. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Daniel is a teacher and practitioner whose training as a doctor of psychology and licensed marriage and family therapist informs his work with earth-honoring traditions such as European pagan paths, Native American ways, Mongolian shamanism, and West African Ifá/Òrìṣà traditions. Since 2005 he’s guided hundreds of ancestor trainings, rituals, and talks throughout the world. Daniel has trained with teachers of Mahayana Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and diverse indigenous paths, including the remnant and returning traditions of my older English, Irish, and German ancestors. As well as studying the culture and languages of the Czech Republic, Mexico, Ecuador, Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria. In this episode, he talks with us about calling on our ancestors to assist in our spiritual work, and how to identify the "troubled dead" who are not yet ancestors. We also discuss racism, cultural amnesia and cultural appropriation. You can find Daniel's book, Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing HERE. For information about his classes and workshops, visit https://ancestralmedicine.org/ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Jeff Black. MD, MDiv, CAS is a psychiatrist who also happens to be a shamanic practitioner. In addition to his traditional medical and chaplaincy training, he studied energy medicine with native healers from South America and through The Four Winds Society, and is also a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist.In this episode, Jeff shares the story of two brothers he treated, ages 19 and 21, who both have Huntington's disease. He describes how he worked with the family through shamanic journeying and other spiritual support processes to face illness and death with hearts and minds wide open. For more information on Jeff's work with death and dying, visit The Living and Dying Consciously Project. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This week's guest is Kenneth Doka, PhD, one of the world's leading experts on death, dying and bereavement. Ken is a professor emeritus at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle, and senior consultant to the Hospice Foundation of America. He is an award-winning scholar and respected counselor known worldwide for his research.The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) presented him with an award for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Death Education in 1998, Significant Contributions to the Field of Thanatology in 2014 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. He has also received an award for Outstanding Contributions to Thanatology and Hospice, and the ADEC Lifetime Achievement Award.Highlights from our conversation include: . The problem of untrained grief "coaches" offering professional services. Disenfranchised grief. The stigma of suicide. Why stage theories are not helpfulUseful Links: ABOUT KENIS GRIEF COUNSELING EFFECTIVE?THE ASSOCIATION FOR DEATH EDUCATION AND COUNSELINGSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Jordan Justice MD is a double board certified physician in emergency medicine and pediatrics. He is an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and he's traveled throughout the world as a medical volunteer in countries that include Kenya, Uganda, Chad, Tibet, India and Israel. In this conversation, Dr. Justice talks about his work in a major metropolitan hospital dealing with deaths from the Covid 19 virus, and how difficult it can be at times to "keep it human." RELATED VIDEO: Brilliant interview with an extraordinary doctor on resuscitated patients asking, "Why did you bring me back?" Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Transforming the Despair and Grief of COVID-19 Isolation Through Shamanic JourneysDavid M. Steinhorn, M.D., a specialist in pediatric critical care, palliative care and hospice medicine at Children’s National Hospital, Washington, D.C., and Jana Din, a Shamanic Healing Practitioner and Co-founder/Director of the Tao Center for Healing, are a modern day amalgam between Western medicine and indigenous shamanic healing. Their unique collaboration provides shamanic healing support to patients and their family members, and was featured in a nationally broadcast television show, Healing Quest, in a segment titled "Shamans in the ICU." Responding to the despair, grief and quarantine that critically ill COVID-19 patients and their loved ones are experiencing, Steinhorn and Din produced a guided shamanic journey specifically to help these patients alleviate feelings of isolation and foster a loving connection with their family members. The journey is gaining recognition among clinicians nationwide, and will hopefully be utilized widely during the Corona pandemic and beyond.RESOURCES: Experience the Shamanic Journey HERE. David Steinhorn MD receives integrative medicine award from the American Academy of PediatricsSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

As the Corona virus epidemic continues, clinical psychologist and bereavement specialist Sonya Lott PhD shares her wisdom about how to manage overwhelming feelings of fear and grief in a crisis. Our conversation explores loss, trauma, complicated grief, resilience and healing, with helpful information for individuals and counseling professionals. Here are some of the resources we discuss: The Body Keeps the Score - An excellent book on trauma! What is Complicated Grief? What is the Dual Process ModelHelpful guided meditationsWhat makes for a resilient spirit? The American Psychological Association identifies certain inner qualities that may contribute to a person’s capacity for resilience:. The capacity to make realistic plans and take steps to carry them out. . A positive view of yourself and confidence in your strengths and abilities.. Skills in communication and problem solving. . The capacity to manage strong feelings and impulses. If you are lacking in any of these areas, work on strengthening them through therapy, meditation and self-improvement practices. Contact Dr. Sonya LottContact Dr. Terri Daniel Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This week we talk with Christopher Kerr MD, medical director of Hospice Buffalo, who is conducting breakthrough research on the dreams and visions of the dying. But instead of dreams, today we’re talking about a nightmare, as the Corona virus spreads through the world, and life as we know it grinds to a halt. Here are some top takeaways from our conversation: How we can help the medical establishment cope with the crisis: Make sure that you and your loved ones have your end-of-life plans in place. If a medically-fragile patient comes into the hospital with a “comfort care only” order, it relieves the staff of the moral dilemma involved in triage decisions, and frees up resources for other patients. Key topics we’re addressing: How do individual citizens prepare for the reality of potential mass deaths?Hospice can help by increasing efforts to educate the public about end-of-life planning.Triage: Who gets a ventilator, and who doesn’t?Length of life vs. quality of life Top quotes from our conversation: Dying is more than a medical equation. It’s the closing of a lifeIn the ER, they’re not going to stop and have a 90-minute conversation about your end-of-life wishes. You’re gonna have plastic down your throat in minutes. If you’re on the hospice side of the fence, you see the end consequences of medical interventions without full regard for harm. Relevant websites and resources: The subtle and secondary losses we’re experiencingDr. Kerr’s new book: Death Is But a Dream Dr. Karen Wyatt’’s websiteDr. Terri Daniel’s website White House lies about the pandemic ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Help keep Doctor Death on the air! Donate via our PATREON page.ASK DOCTOR DEATH is a production of The Conference on Death and Afterlife StudiesSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

In this short recording, Dr. Daniel talks about the many types of losses we're experiencing as the Corona virus pandemic throws our lives into chaos. In addition to obvious losses such as the death of a loved one, there are other types of losses that we may not even be aware of, including: Financial, Material and Worldly Loss – Loss of assets or financial security, or the loss of a job or a project. The pandemic is causing massive upheaval in economic stability for everyone, from billionaire investors to the lowest-paid hourly workers. We are all grieving this loss. Environmental Loss – The world outside our own homes is no longer safe to inhabit. We are grieving the loss of habit and habitat.Loss of Social Connections – Separation from friends and family, children not being able to play together, no social engagement, no hugging, not touching, etc. Deep, deep grief for this, disruptive to emotional well-being. Loss of Physical Health – Becoming infected with the virus, or being more acutely aware of one’s physical vulnerabilities. Institutional – When a corporation, religious body, government or medical system fails to provide the benefits it promises, there can be a profound sense of community loss. We are grieving ALL of those losses right now.Sympathetic loss – Even if we are not directly affected, we feel the grief of the displaced worker or the parent who can’t work because he/she has to stay at home with children who can’t go to school. Loss of truth - When we cannot rely on our leadership to keep us well-informed with reliable, truthful information.Loss of Autonomy – We are grieving the loss of our freedoms when we are locked down or quarantined. ------------------------------------------------------For more information on community grief ceremonies, visit our SPIRITUALITY AND BEREAVEMENT page Our upcoming Grief as a Mystical Journey workshopHelp keep Doctor Death on the air! Donate via our PATREON page.ASK DOCTOR DEATH is a production of The Conference on Death and Afterlife StudiesSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Doctor Death talks with death midwife, educator and home funeral guide Jerrigrace Lyons, who gained national attention when she was featured in the 2005 PBS documentary, A Family Undertaking. She is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in the emerging field of home death care and home funerals, and her certificate program in conscious dying and home funeral guidance has attracted thousands of students since she began offering it in 1995. Jerrigrace has facilitated hundreds of family-directed home funerals, and has appeared in major media that includes The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The London Telegraph. You can find Jerrigrace at www.FinalPassages.org----------------------------------------------------------------------------Help keep Doctor Death on the air! Donate via our PATREON page.ASK DOCTOR DEATH is a production of The Conference on Death and Afterlife Studies Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

This recording was from a panel discussion on Conscious Dying in Clinical Settings at the 2015 Afterlife Conference in Norfolk, VA. The panel was moderated by Dr. Karen Wyatt, and included noted NDE research Pim Van Lommel MD, emergency physician Kevin Haselhorst MD, and psychiatrist/shamanic practitioner Jeff Black MD.Listen in to this fascinating discussion, which is of immeasurable value for clinicians, caregivers and patients.----------------------------------------------------------------------------Help keep Doctor Death on the air! Donate via our PATREON page.ASK DOCTOR DEATH is a production of The Conference on Death and Afterlife StudiesSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

Welcome to the premiere episode of Ask Doctor Death! In our kick-off episode, the doctors discuss the history of death practices over the last 500 years, and address listener questions about a diverse range of topics, including: . Pain management in hospice . Family denial about a terminal diagnosis. Death denial among doctors. Staying with the body after death. Professional certifications in death and dying This podcast is sponsored by The Conference on Death and the Afterlife. Please consider supporting our work by donating via our PATREON page! Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)

As a special bonus, here's a short but very informative conversation with Thomas John, one of the most popular psychic mediums on the world stage today. It's a very powerful conversation about the relationship between mediumship and grief processing, and the importance of this relationship for education and research about the survival of consciousness after physical death. If this topic interests you, please visit The Afterlife Conference website, and sign up for our mailing list to stay informed about the conference and and related events. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------Help keep Doctor Death on the air! Donate via our PATREON page.ASK DOCTOR DEATH is a production of The Conference on Death and Afterlife StudiesSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/askdoctordeath?fan_landing=true)