Dance Past Sunset

Happy Halloween 2020 everybody. My name is Brant Huddleston, host of the Dance Past Sunset podcast, a show about how to let go of fear and enjoy peak life experiences in the second half of life. Today's show is going to get a little spooky!   Disappearing villages. Shaved heads. Millionaire shepherds? That's a strange assortment of topics for a show, but as with my last show, this one is going to be a little different.   You see, in 2019 I took a trip around the world, courtesy of a gift from my brother, a pilot with American Airlines. I traveled that year from the rocky coasts of Portugal, to the hot sands of Morocco, to the mangrove swamps of Panama, with many places beyond and between. In cheap hostels and the backwaters of the nomadic milieu, I discovered a treasure chest of colorful and fascinating people. One of those is the man you are about to meet, the son of vampires and warriors, a fashion mag tycoon, and a real Transylvanian.   His story is told in a chapter of my new book Blue Skyways, now available on Amazon, a story I am about to read for you. A warning: Not everything in Marius' story is halloween fun, some of it is brutal -- but all of it is worth thinking about, and all of it is true. So sit back, relax, and take a ride with me on the Blue Skyways.

For Christmas 2018, my brother, a pilot with American Airlines, gave me a gift that became the experience of a lifetime: 12 months of free travel anywhere American Airlines flies.   Thus began a year long journey that took me from the rocky coast of Portugal, to the hot sands of Morocco, to the mangrove swamps of Panama, with many places beyond and between. In cheap hostels and the backwaters of the nomadic milieu, I discovered a treasure chest of colorful and fascinating people.   The trip became as much a spiritual and emotional journey inward as it was a literal outward one, and found me in a place those of you who are in the second half of life are likely to recognize.    What you are about to hear is a chapter from a book I wrote about that experience, one called Blue Skyways, now available on Amazon. With references to the philosophies of Carl Gustof Jung, Jesus, Bob Dylan, and the Buddha, Blue Skyways is an international romp by a man in his 60’s with not much more than a pack on his back, and still much to learn. I met many fascinating people during that trip, and I tell their stories, plus a bit of my own.   Before I read this chapter from Blue Skyways, I want to explain some of the background noises you may hear in the recording. My recording studio was a hotel balcony in Datça, Turkey during the dawn hours. Naturally I picked up some spurious morning sounds, birds and the like, which I consider to be the soundtrack to my life. I don't find them distracting, and I hope you don't either. If you want to see pictures of my place in Turkey and the awe inspiring sunrises I saw from that balcony, please check out my Youtube channel GoMobile Tours.    But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy a ride on the Blue Skyways.

In my last show I introduced Galen Fous, a 70 year old kink-positive therapist, author, educator and sex researcher who self-identifies as a heterosexual, dominant erotic sadist. In this show I continue my conversation with Galen, where he explains a bit more about his sexual identity, plus we talk about how to have good, healthy sex in the second half of life. I believe the F bomb is dropped at some point, but otherwise the conversation is mostly PG rated and best suited for adults interested in learning more about how to realize their sexually authentic selves.   I like how Galen broadens the conversation and takes it to a higher level, not so much about kink but rather the importance of being your honest self. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”   So please welcome Galen Fous for Part Two of my interview with him on discovering your authentic sexual self.

My next Dance Past Sunset show will continue my series on sex in the second half, which began with health and beauty consultant Sophie Benge speaking on her personal experience with menopause, followed by Wendy Cobina Demos speaking on restoring sex to its sacred place. My next guest, a 70 year old man, will talk about his journey of reclaiming his own sexual power, and in doing so finally feeling witnessed, seen, and loved. He developed a profound sense of trust and depth of intimacy he would have never experienced without some courageous personal honesty, something I’d like to think we all develop as we move into the second half of our lives. But before I introduce my guest, who will be interviewed in two parts, I want to offer some context. A New and Better Ethic As you may know from my book Blue Skyways, or from comments I’ve made over the years on this show, I spent about 30 years in the evangelical Christian faith, having become “born again” on July 25, 1975 at the tender age of nineteen. When I actually left the faith is less clear, since I kind of smudged out about 14 years ago, keeping some things I valued and throwing out others. One ethic I threw out is the disapproval most but not all evangelical christian's hold for LGBTQ sexual orientation, or for genders other than those distinctly male and female. I personally no longer accept that ethic. A quick study of biology shows diversity in gender and sexuality, physically if not emotionally and spiritually, and I respect science. So I have taken to heart what is for me a new ethic, and for me, a better one. I support a non-binary, gender fluid world that respects and celebrates all genders and that everyone should be able to live their truth in complete freedom. The challenges of our world are complex, and it will take all hands on deck to solve them: all races, all ages, all faiths, all genders, everybody. My Next Guest Galen Fous That new ethic made it easy for me to welcome my next guest, Galen Fous, a man who self-identifies as a heterosexual, dominant erotic sadist, and if you think you know what that means, then I suggest you also listen to part two of this show. Galen is also a kink-positive therapist, author, educator and sex researcher. He is the inventor of the Tetruss Shibari Suspension Bondage Rig, Portable BDSM Dungeon and Sex Swing, which is the world’s most versatile adult toy, and most recently, the my yoga chair. At age 70, he has some good and interesting ideas for how to stay in shape through the second half of life, sexually and otherwise. Our conversation is probably PG rated, so not for little kids, but really useful for any adult seeking to reclaim their own sexual power, and in doing so, finally being able to live in true freedom, feeling witnessed, seen, and loved. Sex & Death Some of you may be wondering how I move from death, the subject of most of my earlier shows and still the red thread that runs though them, and sex, the subject of recent shows. Notwithstanding that sex and death are two of the most powerful forces affecting humans, there is a profound connection, a sort of Ariadne's string that leads us from one to the other in the labyrinth of life. It has everything to do with personal authenticity. Confronting death has a way of stripping away the imposter in us, the person who is living someone else’s life instead of his own. That brutal confrontation doesn’t have to be with the final death, the one with a capital D, although I understand that one is foolproof. Finding our true selves can also come by encountering one of the secondary deaths, like divorce, job loss, serious illness, a Near Death Experience, or the loss of a friendship or loved one. It can be anything that ushers in what the Catholics call the “dark night of the soul.” Galen has his own brutal confrontation when his partner outted him and he lost everything — his job, his children, his position in his community — everything. Then, finally, and only then, was he free to be who he was all along, but now with the honesty and integrity that are vital to wholeness. He died, but then he was born again in a more honest form. I like to think that those of us who are in the second half of life, no matter our age, are primed to begin living our own true, authentic lives, free from the patterns and complexes that held us prisoners in the first half. If you’ve had your own encounter with death, than you know to not to waste a single moment chasing someone else’s dream, or living someone else’s life. Make the most of every moment, because it’s the only moment you’ve got.

I am coming to you from the quaint town of Tavira, Portugal, part of my year long travel around the world and the subject of my third book "Blue Skyways." I’ll tell you at the end of the show how you can access an exclusive copy of Blue Skyways, but for now, I want to talk about sex. Yes, this next show is another in my “sex in the second half” series, and not all the content is suitable for the kiddies, so please use discretion before playing this podcast over your elementary school's PA system. Now I’ll admit, I am as dumb as a bag of rocks on many of these issues, which is exactly why I’m curious to explore them. At 63 years old, I can feel my body changing, and that is affecting my sex life. Sound familiar? Furthermore, my ideas about relationships are shifting. Is traditional marriage still the right model for men and women who want to have sex, or is there something else? What about living together 24 by seven by 365? Might there be another approach that is not quite so…ahem…suffocating? I talk about all this and more with my next guest Wendy Cobina Demos, who is the founder of the Sacred Sexual Music festivals and JuicyMeJuicy.com. Wendy and I met in her home city of Vancouver, British Columbia, where we huddled for this recording in her festival van on a rainy evening. Not only does Wendy have a wonderful vision for restoring the sacredness of sex, which you’ll hear about in this interview, she also a talented musician. You can hear one of her songs playing in the background. So please join me on the Dance you my conversation with Wendy Cobina Demos of SacredSexualMusicFestival.com.

I first interviewed my friend Daniel Roberto Ortega a few years ago about his art, which he creates from a combination of natural hemp and the cremated remains of pets and people. I suspected at the time that Daniel was stoned, and I made light of it in my introduction to that show. Well, Daniel came clean with me recently and admitted that he was high, and that’s how I learned about his new non-profit venture called Cannabis for Seniors, which is an informational resource for all things hemp.   But why seniors? What should people in the second half of life know about this plant and its medical and euphoric effects? Daniel and I talk about that, plus the variety of ways to use cannabis, how it is helping veterans and others with pain and trauma, as well as some things to be careful of. It’s all here in this episode of the Dance, and you can rest easy, neither of us were stoned at the time, so the interview is chock full of useful information for anyone who has never tried cannabis or for those who tried years ago but might want to try again.   So please join me in welcoming artist, stoner, and host of the website Cannabis for Seniors, Daniel Roberto Ortega.

As I promised in Part One of my interview with Sophie Benge, in this Part Two things get a bit racier as we dive into specific ways women can thrive through menopause, stay connected to their bodies, and wake up their sexual magnetism. While our talk is highly respectful, we do touch on topics that would not be suitable for young children, so some parental guidance is recommended, plus I do drop the occasional cuss word.    My guest, Sophie Benge, an international journalist and consultant on beauty and wellness, with a focus on women. She is the author of several books on the healing power of natural resources, the human energy system, and ancient systems of medicine. She is the curator of retreats and workshops for women over 40 called Aging Gracefully,including one coming up in late November 2019.   If you want to feel better about yourself, if you want to know what the best options are for easing the symptoms of menopause, if you want more and better sex, then you will want to listen to this show, because Sophie lays it all out in detail, with no holds barred. To my male listeners, pay attention guys, This show is chock full of good information for you too, including an opportunity and the end that you won’t want to miss.

I met my next guest in Portugal last May, at a conference on healing, and was immediately attracted to her natural beauty and radiance. No surprise there — just take a look at her picture! When someone has an inner smile, it manifests outwardly, and I love to see it. Sophie Benge is an international journalist and consultant on beauty and wellness, with a focus on women. Now guys, don’t turn me off yet, because you are going to want to hear Sophie explain how you and the woman in your life can have more and better sex, and we do that by talking about…wait for it…menopause. That’s right, Sophie and I dive deeply into this often misunderstood stage of life that affects most women of a certain age, and so it affects us men too. Sophie Benge is the author of several books on the healing power of natural resources, the human energy system, and ancient systems of medicine. She is the curator of retreats and workshops called Aging Gracefully, including one coming up in late November 2019. But Sophie is not just about seaweed soaks and kundalini, she is also a sucker for the traditional salon blow dry and wrinkle-reducing cream. I know — when I was looking pretty shaggy after six weeks on the road, Sophie helped me get a a good haircut in London, where she lives and works. Now I have a confession to make before we get started. As with so many subjects we cover on this podcast, I knew almost nothing about menopause. You’ll pick up on that as Sophie gives me a proper schooling on Hormone Replacement Therapy, the symptoms of menopause, and how it affects our sex lives. There was so much to learn that I broke the interview into two parts, and while they are both PG rated, the discussion gets decidedly saucier as we go on. So please join me for Part One of my two part interview with Sophie Benge, international journalist, author and curator of Ageing Gracefully as we talk about menopause.

This next show is deeply personal, because I have the treasured opportunity to interview one of my oldest and dearest friends, a man who was literally given up for dead by the medical establishment, and yet who lived to tell a harrowing story of devastation, faith, hard work, and eventually, restoration.   Ron Frappier was at the peak of his game, one of the top five corporate security lawyers in the country. Then, in a split second, everything changed.   This show is more than just about enjoying peak life experiences — it’s about finding meaning in life. For Ron, that meant defying every prognosis given by his doctors, and doing the hard, hard work it takes to come back from a traumatic brain injury. It meant finding that sacred balance between accepting “what is” while at the same time determining, with all you heart, strength and soul, to make things different. If that sounds oxymoronic, it is, because that’s “God logic” and not “human logic.”   If you, like me and Ron, are in the second half of your life and struggling with all the challenges that come with it, then you will want to listen to this interview with my good friend and champion Ron Frappier. I guarantee it will leave you inspired.

In part one of my interview with Danish photographer Klaus Bo, we learned how he got started with his dead and alive project, chronicling death rituals from Greenland, Haiti, Madagascar, Ghana, India, Indonesia and Nepal. You can see those pictures on his website DeadandAliveProject.com.   In this second and final part of my interview with Klaus, we talk about food. That’s right! When the living come together, even for a funeral, food is often and important part of that ritual, even if it’s just coffee and cake.   What you won’t hear is me and Klaus after the mics were turned off kicking around the idea of an Anthony Bourdain style  TV show involving food, culture, travel, and death rituals. Like the idea? Let us know by liking this podcast on iTunes or following me on Facebook. Your likes will tell producers there’s a market out there for a show like that.   But for now, sit back, relax, and enjoy part two of my two part interview with Danish photographer Klaus Bo, on the Dance Past Sunset podcast.

Just before leaving for my recent trip to Europe and Morocco, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing a talented photographer from Copenhagen, Denmark, Klaus Bo Christenson. Klaus travels the world chronicling death rituals, and over the years has amassed the world’s largest collection of photographs, which you can see at his deadandliveproject.com website.   Does Klaus have some stories to tell? You bet he does! In fact, I was so absorbed by tales of Haitian voodoo rituals, chicken caskets from Ghana, and Indonesian funeral feasts that I had to break this interview into two parts.

Today I continue with my “Moving to Higher Ground” theme, where I interview folks who are stepping outside of their comfort zones, taking risks, and going for a lifestyle that while unconventional, holds the promise of getting them through their sunset years with a degree of security and quality that they might not have if they just stayed in place.   Why am I doing that? Well, it’s because that’s the kind of journey I’m on myself, and I thought I’d take you along for the ride with me as I fumble and bumble my way through the adventure. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes.   In fact, this will be the last show I record in the US for a while. In just two short weeks I leave for an extended trek through Africa and Europe, living out of a backpack. Am I scared to leave my comfy life in the US behind? You bet I am…scared moving to terrified. But as it’s been said, “If your dream doesn’t scare you, then it isn’t big enough,” and I’m all for bigger dreams.   My guest today, Steve Appleton, is a guy who chased his dream down to Mexico, where he runs an online e-bike store from his laptop. You’ll hear how he did it, and how an unexpected twist in life’s curvy road motivated him to keep going. Stay to the end of the interview to hear some truly precious advice from Steve that is valuable no matter where you are or what you’re doing. You’re going to love it.   So please join me on the Dance Past Sunset podcast as I talk with Steve Appleton, owner of ReallyGoodeBikes.com.

In Part One of my interview with Rita Wilkins, the “Downsizing Designer,” we learned how a trip to Africa shook up Rita’s world and led her to a new lifestyle paradigm, one where she shed 95% of her stuff in exchange for more time, money, and freedom in a much smaller apartment in Philadelphia. We talked a fair bit about how such shake-ups can come at a cost to relationships, and that’s where we pick up in this Part Two of our talk. But in keeping with my penchant for random thought, Rita and I go from there to a freewheeling conversation about stuff, how a bunt cake pan and 40 foot aluminum ladder can lead to communism, the story of the 16 pairs of scissors, and how the shared economy resulted from a mindset shift our children learned from observing Boomer unhappiness with materialism. Oh, and be sure to stay to the end when Rita and I kick around the idea of a dating website just for people who have moved past that unhappiness and into a “less stuff, more fun” mindset. So please join me for Part Two of my two part interview with Rita S. Wilkins, the “downsizing designer" and author of the book “Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom.”

Somewhere along the long road to the present moment, probably during the vain efforts to save my first marriage, I was told “the issue is never the issue.” Now, being both a male and a former engineer, that caused a bit of a mind cramp for me. I mean, how can the issue not be the issue? But it’s true. Often the truth of a matter is hidden behind clutter, both the physical and the metaphysical kind. And so it is with the stuff you own. I mean all that crap you’ve got stuffed away in your house, garage, car trunk and rented storage space. Yeah. That stuff. This show is kind about that, but then...it’s not. What it’s really about is your your freedom, your money, and your life. What is the passion you have that is deep inside you, the “why that makes you cry?” What is the dream you have that no one knows but you? That’s what we’re really going to talk about. My guest is Rita Wilkins, also known as the “Downsizing Designer”, a moniker she embraced after downsizing from her 5,000 sq. ft. home in the country to her 867 sq. ft. home in downtown Philly. Rita's downsizing journey was inspired by a trip to Africa, where people had little but were amazingly happy. Rita returned to the US with a new set of eyes, and a new lifestyle paradigm. She gave away 95% of her “stuff” to people who needed or wanted it, and is now living on 5% of what she once owned. And you know? She's never been happier. I know. I did the same thing, box by box, book by precious book, so that today, I own almost nothing except my guitars. And I’ve never been happier. But this kind of radical change comes at a cost, one I know about personally, and it's the cost of possibly losing a beloved partner, wife, or husband who is on a different path to bliss, one where stuff plays an important role. So what to do? The issue is never the issue, as it’s been said, so listen in as Rita and I unravel the mysteries of love, marriage, stuff, and how to find your unique path to bliss, the one that is calling you from the depths of your soul. My time with Rita was so rich and fulfilling that I split it into two parts, and you are going to want to listen to both. So please join me in part one of my two part interview with Rita S. Wilkins, the “downsizing designer" and author of the book “Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom.”

I have a real treat for you guys today, for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is that at the end of this interview, I am going to drop a bomb. But first, let me introduce my next guest, who I discovered while perusing a copy of USA Today while waiting to catch a plane from Brazil to Mexico. I was traveling to record videos for my new Go!Mobile Youtube channel, which is for people who want to travel in an environmentally sensitive way, sometimes referred to as eco-tourism. You’ll find a link to those videos in the show notes.   What caught my eye in this issue of the newspaper was an op/ed entitled, "Kids, it's time to give your parents 'the talk.' Not that one, the one on climate change.” “Wow!” I thought. This op/ed contains two issues I am really passionate about: intergenerational communication, and the environment. The author, and my guest today, advocated opening channels of communication between generations on the controversial topic of climate change by keeping the discussion short, social, and positive, and I like that approach. Unfortunately the resulting comments to the op/ed were anything but positive, in fact, they were downright harsh.   I wanted to understand the issue better, so I gave the author a call and invited him on the show, so today I am delighted to introduce you to Mick Smyer,  PhD, a professor of psychology at Bucknell University, and the founder the Graying Green project, which brings together climate communicators, scientists, community and business leaders to make older people more visible, valued and effective on climate action.   A national expert, Dr. Smyer has written and lectured extensively on aging. He has also consulted with Fortune 500 companies, state and national legislative leaders and higher education organizations on the impacts of aging. Mick cares deeply about the environment, and you can really feel that in this interview, in which he gives me a polite but appropriate schooling on how to be appreciative of the prior generation. I like that.   Finally, and perhaps most impressive, are Dr. Smyer's prodigious skills as a washboard player with Pennsylvania’s own Rustical Quality String Band. I’ll give you a taste of that sound at the end of the show, but first, let’s hear from Dr. Mick Smyer, PhD, founder of the Graying Green project.

In part one of my last show, I introduced you to Dr. Beverly Nelson and her husband Michael Lee Bartlett, who are the  producers and hosts of an eight-week, experiential interactive online program called “Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey.” As you may be able to tell from its title, the program uses the work of author and professor Joseph Campbell as a framework for helping people who are contemplating a move abroad, that is, people like me and my wife Leslie.   If you have yet to hear Part One, I recommend you listen to at least the first few minutes, where I talk a bit about Joe Campbell, and provide some context for what you are about to hear. Better yet…listen to all of Part One, because when you first meet Beverly and Michael, I think you’ll fall in love with them, as I have.   Beverly has a PhD in Psychology and a BA in Business. She has created and directed internationally recognized Healing Centers all around the world, including what has become the largest and most comprehensive holistic center in Mexico — the LifePath Center.   Michael is a fellow former IBMer and entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded successful ventures in high tech, education, real estate, video and film production. During the 1970's Michael practiced as a psychotherapist and founded Ashewood Primal Center, a vibrant therapeutic community in New York City and Woodstock New York.   Together Beverly and Michael help people find and follow their life’s passions, and that is why I am so pleased to be collaborating with them. I do make a commission on the sale of their "Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey" course, even though you won’t pay a penny extra for it. In fact — you’ll pay less — because at the end of this show, we make an offer, exclusive to Dance listeners, that you will want to know about.    I am also collaborating with them on a break-out class for discovering one’s life passions, and I can tell you first hand that the quality, beauty and efficacy of their coursework is second to none. I am proud to be associated with it.   In Part One, the three of us talked about how Michael and Beverly met, and the circumstances that led them to collaborate in picturesque San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Tragically, those circumstances included the untimely deaths of dear loved ones, but out of the ashes of their sadness a beautiful Phoenix has arisen, one wearing the radiant plumes of their own love affair and subsequent marriage, and now, the birth of “Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey.”   In this Part Two, we delve deeper into the program, and how it helps couples and individuals make a life transforming decision with greater clarity, confidence and much less stress.  It’s all part of my “Move to Higher Ground” theme, which is for people like me who are seeking innovative, out of the box ways to live out our sunset years in a powerful, joyful way.   So please join me in Part Two of my two part interview with Dr. Beverly Nelson and Michael Lee Bartlett, and let’s learn how to make the rest of our lives, the best of our lives.

Welcome to the first show of 2019, and what an inspiring one it is. I know you are going to really like it, because it has one of those too good to be true stories behind it, which I’ll tell in a moment. But first let me provide some context.   Those of you who have been following me for a while know I am a fan of the American author and Professor of Literature Joseph Campbell, who became famous for his work on the role of myth in literature, religion and ultimately, in all of human experience. You’ll find me quoting Campbell in my “Why?” Video from a few years ago, and in a recent talk I gave on my own spiritual journey. Links to both of those videos are in the show notes.   Joe Campbell didn’t really become truly famous until he was well into his sunset years, his 70’s and 80’s in fact, which is an inspiration for me as a tender 62 year old. For decades Campbell quietly taught and wrote books like the “Hero with a Thousand Faces,” gathering a small but impressive group of fans, including George Lucas, Jerry Garcia, and the poet Robert Bly, who are also among my favorites.    But it wasn’t until Campbell was near death that he became known to a broader audience, including me, thanks to the films "The Hero's Journey” and his video interviews with Bill Moyers, which aired on PBS as "The Power of Myth.”   It was in that last film that I first heard Campbell utter the phrase that some say summarizes his life’s work: “Follow your bliss."    Now, what does that mean? I’ll take a stab at it. I believe it means leading an adventurous life of questioning, discovery, and ultimately of delight and joy, a life to which we say “Yes” to our passions and “No” to resistance. When we do that, the universe conspires with us, not against us, and a world of opportunity opens up. It means becoming fully alive.   This philosophy really is at the core of the Dance mission and always has been. It’s why the words “explore” and “experience” are in my tagline. It's my personal philosophy, which is why you see me traveling on a lark, constantly learning, and taking risks, most of which “fail” in the world’s eyes. I am following my path to bliss, whatever the cost.   But how do we know what our bliss is? Where is that path? How to we find it so we can start our own, personal growth journey? How do we discover where our true passions lie, what is authentic to us, and what is not?   That’s where my next guests can help.    Dr. Beverly Nelson and her partner Michael Lee Bartlett came to my attention last fall when I was leafing through my latest issue of International Living magazine and an article about them caught my eye. It described work they are doing on a new, online course helping people who are contemplating a move abroad, and based on the work of Joesph Campbell.   Called “Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey,” the course helps couples and individuals make this life transforming decision with greater clarity, confidence and much less stress. The eight week, experiential interactive online program helps you define yourself, your values and what matters most in your life so that, so that no matter what you decide about moving abroad, you will move forward in a powerful, joyful way.   Well…you had to know that would catch my attention! I had already produced several shows featuring guests who were either already living abroad, or who had good reasons for doing so. It’s all part of my “Move to Higher Ground” theme, one I planned on continuing through 2019. Curious about Beverly and Michael's work, I gave them a call, and a short time later we recorded the interview you are about to hear.    But that’s where things get really interesting. Little did I know then that within a few weeks I would be a guest at their lovely home in beautiful San Miguel de Allende Mexico, toasting in the warm New Year with a chilled glass of tequila, and dancing well past sunset at a local club wearing a sequined mask. Too much fun! I also became a guest at the LifePath Center, an absolutely charming B&B and holistic healing center right in the center of town, enjoying the fresh food, yoga center, and healing services of the Center’s many practitioners. You can see pictures of all of this in the show notes.   Even though Beverly and Michael look like movie stars, they are no lightweights. Beverly has a PhD in Psychology and a BA in Business. She has created and directed internationally recognized Healing Centers all around the world, including what has become the largest and most comprehensive holistic center in Mexico — the LifePath Center.   Michael is a fellow former IBMer and entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded successful ventures in high tech, education, real estate, video and film production, and even restaurant and catering. Michael practiced as a psychotherapist in Woodstock New York for several years, helping to establish a vibrant therapeutic community there.   How they met and started working together in Mexico is a story you have to hear!   Meeting Michael and Beverly is a perfect example of how finding and following your bliss opens up unforeseen opportunities. Not only have I made some dear new friends that I really admire, but now we are exploring ways to collaborate on future online courses for personal growth and transformation. I’ll talk more about that in Part Two.   That’s right. My interview with Beverly and Michael is in two parts, and you are going to want to listen to both. In this first part, you’ll learn how Beverly and Michael met, and the circumstances that brought them to San Miguel. Since at the time of the interview I had not yet been to the city, I was curious to know a bit more about it, and they were happy to share. Now that I have been, well let me just say their enthusiasm is justified!   In part two, you’ll learn more about the course "Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey” itself. Beverly and Michael also have a special offer, just for Dance listeners, that you will want to know about. Whether you are considering a move abroad, or whether you decide to stay where you are, “A Hero’s Journey," based in the work of the brilliant Joseph Campbell, will give you the insights and new capabilities to move forward into a richer and more fulfilling life.    So please join me in this interview with Dr. Beverly Nelson and Michael Lee Bartlett, and let’s learn how to make the rest of our lives, the best of our lives.

You know I’ve been on a kick lately for ways we older people can economize and make the most of our money, and today’s show digs into the question: How can the government help?   Yeah, yeah, I know the old joke: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help. Ronald Reagan said those were the nine most terrifying words in the English language.   But are they really? At age 62, I am already looking forward to a little help from Medicare and especially, Social Security. I mean, after all, a good bit was taken out of my paycheck over the years to pay for those programs, so why shouldn’t I get my money back?   Well, it turns out there is more than one answer to that question, and here to talk about one side of the debate on Social Security is Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works and chair of the Strengthen Social Security coalition.      Ms. Altman has a forty-year background in the areas of Social Security and private pensions. She was appointed by Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi to sit on the seven-personSocial Security Advisory Board -- a bipartisan, independent federal government agency that advises the President, Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security.   Ms. Altman is the author of The Battle for Social Security: From FDR’s Vision to Bush’s Gamble, and The Truth About Social Security: The Founders’ Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings. She is also co-author of Social Security Works! Why Social Security Isn’t Going Broke and How Expanding It Will Help Us All.    Ms. Altman was on the faculty of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and taught courses on private pensions and Social Security at the Harvard Law School. She was also Alan Greenspan’s assistant during the years he led the developed the 1983 Social Security amendments.   I’m exceedingly fortunate to have Nancy on the show, because she has shared her Social Security expertise on numerous other television and radio shows, including PBS NewsHour, MSNBC, and FOX News. She has published op-eds in dozens of newspapers including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.   So for some expertise and valuable insights on a program that affects every American, please welcome Ms. Nancy J. Altman to Dance Past Sunset.

In my last show, I talked with Andrew Belser, who is presently a professor of Movement, Voice, and Acting at Penn State University. Andrew is also the creator of an award winning video program called FaceAge that shows young and older adults interacting knee-to-knee, nose-to-nose almost, while studying and describing one another’s faces. It is a deeply moving work that challenges perceptions about what it means to be “old," fosters introspection, and builds acceptance, awareness, and cross-generational connections. I had the chance to experience FaceAge in DC earlier this year, and it quite frankly moved me to tears.   In part one of my talk with Andrew, we heard him tell us what FaceAge is and about its power to affect perceptions. In the part two of our interview, which you are about to hear, Andrew tells us more about the neuroscience behind FaceAge, and a little bit about his personal story, and how an encounter with his older Uncle on a rooftop changed his life. So please join me in Part Two of my interview with Andrew Belser of FaceAge.   I encourage all of you to experience FaceAge in person if you can, and if you are interested in having FaceAge to your city, check out the show notes for a way to contact Greg Wolf, the former CEO of Humana, who coordinates FaceAge exhibitions. Greg is a great guy and he can tell you all about how FaceAge is more than just a video program, but also includes training for organizations that want to do more to promote intergenerational connections. A good thing, me thinks.  

My kids will tell you I cry when my heart is moved by something…a poem, a story or a piece of music, heck even a television commercial can bring on the tears. It’s something I’ve accepted about myself and don’t deny. But that something has to be truly exquisite, poignant or deeply beautiful, something that reaches into the broken puzzle I call my heart and brings forth a salient emotion. FaceAge had that effect on me. This award winning video program weaves together interconnected chapters in which young adults and aging individuals reflect on life while studying and describing one another’s faces. The FaceAge experience meets audiences through an immersive three-screen video environment presenting interconnected video chapters built around these cross-generational encounters. I had the opportunity to experience FaceAge in Washington DC earlier this year, and after wiping my eyes and blowing my nose, I just had to meet the person behind this ground-breaking work of art and science. That’s when I met Andrew Belser, who is presently a professor of Movement, Voice, and Acting at Penn State University, as well as Penn’s Director of the Arts & Design Research Incubator, a studio/laboratory where artists and designers join with scientists, writers, philosophers and others to research and create artistic projects for national and international venues. If you long to see the gaps between people bridged, as I do, then you will want to learn more about FaceAge, which helps us see ourselves “through the lens of old age,” as Andrew puts it. FaceAge is more than just about intergenerational connection…it is about human healing, and there is nothing more deeply beautiful than that. Here to tell us more about that, in part one of this two part interview, is Andrew Belser, creator and producer of the award winning video exhibit called FaceAge.

Today you’ll hear the second of my two part interview with Tricia Pimental, International Living Magazine’s Portugal correspondent, who bounced around the US with her husband Keith until then they landed in Fundao, Portugal, in the cherry capital of the country, about two hours north of Lisbon. Why did she bounce? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out, but that part of her story sure caught me by surprise. Tricia also shares her personal nightmare in this show, and if you stay to the end, I have something to say about that. Don’t worry, the nightmare isn’t scary, and if you are considering a move outside the United States, you’ll want to hear it.   I really admire Tricia and Keith and how they teamed up on their great adventure. They each brought a unique and valuable perspective to their partnership, and then worked together through the challenges. The way they collaborate on their journey, which isn’t over yet by a long shot, reminds me of the model of marriage proposed in a book I read years ago by psychiatrist and author M. Scott Peck, called “The Road Less Traveled.” In it, Peck compares married partners to a mountain climbing team who know that in order to succeed, they must have two things: a base camp where they can restore and prepare, and the daring to summit, that is, leave the safety and relative comfort of base camp and actually climb the damn mountain. If you do too much of either, summiting or base camping, then you are likely to reach your peak. It looks to me like Keith and Tricia make a pretty good team, and I admire them both.   So tune in for my continuing interview with an American living in Portugal, Tricia Pimental.

Today I’m continuing my series on how some particularly adventurous boomers choose to live out their sunset years outside the United States. There are lots to things to consider before making that choice, and here to help us steer through it is author and former actress Tricia Pimental, who with her husband Keith landed in Fundao, Portugal where they are enjoying the good life at one third the cost of living in the US.    Now I want to give some context for this interview. Tricia is presently the Portugal Correspondent for International Living magazine, and the Dan she mentions in our interview is Dan Prescher who is also with International Living. I interviewed Dan in show #47 where he talks about ex-pat life south of the border. But today we are heading over the big pond to Europe.   Now if you’ve listened to my other shows, you know I am especially interested in how ex-pat living affects marriage and other close family relationships. Tricia and Keith have been married 26 years, have grown children and a passel of grandchildren, so we jump right into it. You know passel is such a good word. I’ve been waiting a long time to use it. Anyway, Tricia and I had so much fun, we talked for a good bit, so I broke this show into two parts. Be sure to stay to the end, because I have some goodies to give away, and I want to be sure you get them, plus we have a little secret to tell about Tricia. So please join me for my interview with an American living in Portugal, Tricia Pimental.

You’ve probably heard on the mainstream news about how medical tourism helps us save thousands of dollars on medical procedures that are common to older adults, but how does it really work? Here to tell us how is a former IBM colleague and fellow Boomer Rajesh Rao, founder and CEO of Indushealth, a leading provider of corporate medical travel administration services. This show is a continuation of my series on ways Boomer's can cut expenses and save money while continuing to live high quality lives.

Every month I receive in the mail a lovely little package with a handpainted cover of an exotic place I might like to live. Inside this package are stories of people just like me, boomers who, for one reason or another, have decided to take a walk on the wild side and fully explore the pros and cons of living outside the United States. That package is International Living magazine, and in this episode of Dance I talk with Dan Prescher, a Vice President and writer with the magazine, and more than that, a person who walks the talk. Seventeen years ago Dan and his wife Susan Haskins left snowy Omaha, Nebraska and have lived south of the border ever since, enjoying the sunshine, great food, low prices, and comradery of other North American ex-patriots, or expats as they are called. In this show you’ll get an inside peak into Dan and Susan’s life, their tips on how to live on $2500 a month or less, how ex-pat living affects a marriage, advice on staying connected with grandkids, the good, bad and the ugly of living in a developing country, and so much more. You’ll even get a short lesson on the proper technique for eating fried grasshoppers with your mezcal — something I learned a year ago when I visited Dan’s present home city of Merida, Mexico, where I caught him on a Saturday morning. So please join me as I take a look on the other side of the mountain with Dan Prescher of International Living magazine.

Today’s show is going to be a little bit different. In the past I’ve always interviewed some kind of expert, and that’s been great. We learn a lot from experts. But today, we’re going to right down to where the rubber meets the road and talk with a man who walked the caregiving talk. Dale Gyongyos left his home in North Carolina and travelled cross-country to Arizona, where he and his brother cared for their 95 year old mother until her passing. Now I want to quote something one of Dale’s friends wrote me when she heard this show was coming. She said: As caregivers, we are lost so many times and we struggle. One hears about dealing with aging parents, but experiencing it. So hard. Thank you for choosing Dale. The perfect person with the perfect heart to share his story in an articulate, compassionate and honest way. That’s the story you will hear in this show. Because Dale and I are good friends, like brothers even, our conversation is about as intimate as it gets. You are invited to listen in as I talk with with the amazing Dale Gyongyos.

The guests featured on these three shows all share CTAC’s vision to help Americans with advanced illness, especially the most vulnerable among us, to get comprehensive, high-quality, family-centered care where and when they need it, and in a way that honors their dignity. That makes all the people working toward that vision heroes in my mind, and I am fortunate to have had a view join me on the show.   One of the guests you’ll hear from today is well known among those of us who work to reclaim death as a natural human experience instead of primarily a clinical medical one. His name is BJ Miller. I knew of BJ from his inspiring work as a palliative care doctor with the Zen Hospice Center and from his TED Talk, so when I had a chance to meet him in person at CTAC, well, it was an incredible honor. When you hear him speak, I think you’ll see why.   But first, let’s drop in on a fun conversation I was having with another amazing guest from the CTAC conference, Amber Slichta from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation. Now if you don’t know of Ralph Wilson, he is best known as the founder and 54-year owner of the Buffalo Bills football team, and upon his passing he left a small fortune, check that, a huge fortune, $1.2 Billion and counting to be exact, that by his direction is to be granted out to the last penny by the year 2035. It’s part of Amber’s job to ensure those investments are done wisely and in accordance with Mr. Wilson’s wishes, which are clearly stated on the foundation’s website. But Let me give you a hint — if you are working in the field of caregiving or livable communities in Western New York or Southeast Michigan, then you’re gonna wanna pay attention.   One last thing before we start. If you are with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, I want you to know I was just kidding about barbecuing a Pug. I meant to say barbecued PIG.    All kidding aside, please join me for a short conversation with Amber Slichta from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation.

In this this episode you will meet Tim Bauerschmidt and Ramie Liddle, a husband and wife team, and John Maycroft from Optum. Tim and Ramie talk about the joys and challenges of accompanying Tim's 90 year old mom, who was afflicted with terminal cancer, on a last, long, wonderful journey across America, with poodle Ringo along for the ride. John Maycroft discusses the best way to think through and decide future life preferences leading to an Advanced Care Directive.

Overview: One of the great privileges I have as host of this podcast is the opportunity to meet so many good people doing really great  work. At the top of that list are the folks at the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, or CTAC, a DC based organization dedicated to the ideal that all Americans with advanced illness, especially the sickest and most vulnerable among us, receive comprehensive, high-quality, person- and family-centered care that honors their dignity. I love that.    So naturally I was super stoked to be invited to CTACs annual conference where I got to hear from folks on the front lines of the battle to transform care from the fragmented, siloed systems that result in unnecessary suffering to one where caregivers and the people they serve are empowered and getting the care they want when and where they choose. Today I want to introduce two people from the front lines of this great challenge, Torrie Fields and Dr. Stephen Bekanich.   Now please understand these recordings were made at the conference, so you’ll hear some occasional noise in the background. But you know, I’m like a moth to the flame, and when I see a bright light, I move toward it. I think you’ll agree these two guests are shining bright. So please join me on this special episode of Dance Past Sunset, recorded live at the 2017 annual conference of the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care. First up is a women who owned the stage with her positive energy and optimism, Ms. Torrie Fields, Senior Program Mgr for Advanced Illness and Palliative Care, Blue Shield of California plus their affiliated Medicaid Carefirst Health Plan.   What You’ll Learn from Torrie: How she advises start-up incubators and early stage entrepreneurs focused on advanced illness or end-of-life care Blue Shield’s long running history working with new organizations and helping them to grow The innovative ventures she has seen that really excite her How she uses a game called “Hello” from Common Practice’s game (formerly called “My Gift of Grace”) on first dates to determine values and openness What it means to live well all the way through the end of life,  Her personal role as caregiver, and with folks who are not comfortable talking about death, and who are not tech savvy The needs for more ways to help people understand the progression of their disease  How tech designers don’t understand the digital divide Her evaluation of the Trillion dollar "Silver Tsunami” and its relation to Spinal Tap Policies and regulations that keep us in the past (e.g. restrictions on what we can do in the home) and stifle innovation How do we enable the future   Stephen Bekanich, MD: Many advanced care patients, like Torrie’s mom, want more help understanding what’s happening with their health now and what they can expect to face in the future. That’s one of the things my next guest helps people do. Dr. Stephen Bekanich from Iris Plans is not only focused on that challenge, he looks like he belongs in a rock&roll band with a fire red electric guitar strapped on him. And when you see a guy walking around who looks like that, you just have to ask, you know?   What You’ll Learn from Stephen: How he uses his rock & roll attire to open a conversation with his patients and help them focus on the relationship and not just their illness About WalMart's Angel Wings   How Iris plans targets COPD, CHF, late stage malignancies, dementia, stroke, cirrhosis and helps patients assess what’s happening now. and what will they will face in the future. What’s missing from Obamacare How to bring the patient and their families into the equation When Texas will become a Republic again, his tips for finding good BBQ   Coming Up Next on the Show: Thank you Stephen and Torrie for taking time to speak with me, and thank you CTAC for hosting such an important event. Coming up in the next episode of Dance Past Sunset, I’ll have more guests from the conference including a couple who took their 90 year old mother and a dog named Ringo on a bucket trip your across America. Good stuff! Copyright 2018 Dance Past Sunset. All Rights Reserved.

Each of us has a story to tell…a most important story, that is, the story of our lives. But as we age, and especially if our fate includes a disability like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then that story can easily get lost or jumbled. That’s where a new service called MemoryWell comes in. MemoryWell is the brainchild of Jay Newton-Small, an entrepreneur with a long and successful career in journalism. While caring for her own late father, who suffered from Alzheimers, Jay used her writing skills to tell his story in a way that burdensome questionnaires just can’t do. His caregivers loved it, and it totally transformed the quality of care he received. Now MemoryWell is available to all of us, and here to tell us about it is inventor, entrepreneur, and professional journalist Jay Newton-Small. Copyright © 2018 by Danbra LLC. All rights reserved.

"It was fun, fun, fun till your daddy took the T-Bird away," the song goes.    Well that's how a lot of elders feel when a doctor or child who is concerned for the elders safety (not to mention others on the road) urges the aged parent to stop driving. No more fun for you!   Not so fast! Shared car services like Uber, plus a host of third parties, are working hard to make their fleet of cars accessible to older folks who might not have a smartphone. That makes calling a car a bit tricky, because the Uber app uses GPS to locate the passenger, but as my guest Jay Holly from Uber explains, they have a few tricks and tips of their own that make it easy as pie.   Be sure to notice in this interview how Uber has added Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, called UberWAV, to their network, and about "Uber Central," which allows any bar, hairdresser, senior center, restaurant or other organization to summon an Uber car from a regular browser. It's the perfect way to get mom home again!   Finally, check out my short "Senior Moments" video that provides step-by-step directions for how to call an Uber car for your senior loved one, even if they live in another state.   See you on the road!

Join me as OnGuardian founder and I talk about Brazil, his years in Angola, and how an unexpected crisis with his father back home led to the creation of OnGuardian, an advanced solution that empowers family caregivers by streamlining support, collaboration and access to information while providing care recipients with and easy to use voice interface, powered by Amazon Echo and Alexa.  

What’s the best predictor of your child’s emotional well-being? It’s not great schools, hugs, or Pixar movies. Researchers at Emory University found that whether a kid knew their family history was the number one indicator. Raja Badr-el-Din and Mark Valentine of Ramblin’ Stories, both 23 years old, intuitively knew that. They sensed that without the stories of elder seniors, their lives would be somehow less rich, and their struggle would be greater. That’s when they cooked up a scheme. They fixed up a 1973 Chevy milk truck and took to the road, recording the stories of whatever elder showed up. Along the way they learned one of the great truths of life, plus how to get a cheap hot shower on the road. Their adventure reminds me of something I would have done at their age…and would still do! Oh, that plus Ken Kesey’s magic bus ride of 1964, an event that touched a match to the powder keg of the 60’s. Copyright © 2017 by Danbra LLC. All rights reserved.

Stephen Jenkins is my good friend ~ we have known each other for over a decade. He stood by my side as I journeyed through some of the most harrowing and scary stretches of my life, always with encouragement, love, compassion, and when needed, a dose of good humor. It is no small surprise that he is much loved by the men he cares for as they move through their own harrowing journey, from the peaks of power and strength, through growing weakness and vulnerability, and eventually, to death. I can only hope that when my time comes that Stephen is there for me, or someone like him, someone who has the heart for end-of-life-care. Please join me for an intimate look at the challenges and blessings of being a spiritual hospice caregiver in this interview with the amazing Stephen Jenkins.

In part one of my interview with Ann Hoffner, author of The Natural Burial Cemetery Guide: A State-by-State Guide, we talked about where, how and why to choose a green burial. Ann chose a green burial for her own father, and after learning about how much better natural burial is for the environment, it’s what I want for myself as well. With a green burial, you save the earth from toxic chemicals, ugly concrete vaults or other unnatural weirdness, and just let nature takes its course with your body. It really is the greenest way to go, and here to tell you more about it is Ann Hoffner, author and sailing nomad, in part two of my interview with her on the Dance to Death Afterlife podcast.

Green cemeteries have been popping up like daisies, so Ann Hoffner wrote the definitive guide on where to find them, what they offer, how much they charge, and the story behind them. A green burial is one where the body is buried in a shroud or casket made of natural, biodegradable materials, without toxic embalming fluids, typically in a naturalized setting like a meadow or woodlands. Her book is called The Natural Burial Cemetery Guide: A State-by-State Guide: Where, How and Why to Choose Green Burial.  As soon as I learned about this option, I decided it was for me, and maybe it will be for you too. Ann’s book will help you choose, and here to tell you more about it is the author herself, in the first of my two part interview with Ann Hoffner on the Dance to Death Afterlife Podcast.

This episode was recorded at the 6th Annual Afterlife and Awareness Conference in St. Louis, MO, where I had the pleasure of meeting Rev. Olivia Bareham of Sacred Crossings. You can hear the birds and breezes in the background as we sat under the sun in the hotel courtyard on a beautiful Missouri day. Olivia is a certified Death Midwife, Home Funeral Guide and Celebrant. She holds bachelors degrees in Education and Natural Theology and Sacred Healing and is an ordained Inter-faith Minister. Olivia’s experience as an auxiliary nurse, hospice volunteer and her mother’s end-of-life caregiver, inspired her to investigate more meaningful and personal alternatives to traditional funeral practices. Plus, she is a closet rock-star. We cover a gamut of topics related to home funeral care, including: If and where it's legal (Spoiler: Yes, and everywhere) A cheap but beautiful and deeply personal alternative to an expensive casket How our deaths are affecting the environment What she learned about death from giving birth  

"There is hope in death if you drink from the whole cup of life. It makes the whole thing all right.” Wisdom not from beyond the grave, but close to it, and spoken by one of the the many people featured in the new film Mortal by filmmakers Sara Feldmann Sheehan and Bobby Sheehan. Featured are people whose lives have been deeply touched by death. Their wisdom is special. It is worth paying attention to, and the film presents it to you in a poignant and beautiful way. Mortal is a film that is both easy and difficult to watch. Easy because of the superior quality of Sara and Bobby’s craft, the skill of their production, and the beauty of their cinematography. Difficult because, well, most of us don’t want to look at death that closely. But if you do, if you dare, you will find Mortal’s story heartbreaking at times, but ultimately a noble and uplifting calling to the human spirit.

I am back from the 6th Annual Afterlife and Awareness Conference where I had the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies. I met so many amazing people and learned new things about death and near death experiences (NDE) that really blew my mind. My creative juices were flowing, and one of my fellow brainstormers was Pati Pellerito of Healing Gongs. Sound therapy is an effective and proven modality that uses vibrational sound to help reduce pain and stress, ease tension, and create a sense of peace and well being. Pati is a skilled sound therapist who uses beautifully handcrafted instruments to nourish your neurological system and shift you into a dream-like space, allowing you to release and surrender more deeply. On this show you'll hear Pati play the instruments, which include over 20 Tibetan bowls and her latest acquisition -- a "planet gong" made in Germany. We also brainstorm on how to design a "death room" that offers comfort to the dying in the same way "birthing rooms" offer comfort to mother and child. I have to apologize for the quality of my voice on this show. I was using a handheld mic and I was simply overloading the circuits. I hope that won't stop you from giving me a good rating on iTunes! If you haven't done so already, it would be a great help to me. Instructions for how to do that are found here, and thanks in advance! The good news is that Pati sounds great, as do her instruments. Thanks for tuning in, and I'll see you on the other side.

Bios Incube is the world´s first system designed to help grow the remains of your loved ones into trees.

Robert Kopecky is the author of the book "How to Survive Life (and Death): A Guide for Happiness in This World and Beyond,” in which he writes about his three Near Death Experiences (NDE), and more importantly, what they taught him about how to live. Robert is an Emmy nominated art director. He designed the credits for Showtime's Weeds, and directed art for the PBS children's show Word World. He contributes to Evolver.net, NewBuddhist.com, TheMindfulWord, and Gaia. You can find Robert on his blog Art, Faith, and the Koko Lions. Robert's newest book, "How to Get to Heaven (Without Really Dying): Wisdom from a Near Death Survivor" is available on Amazon. I first met Robert Kopecky online, when his tweet caught my eye. It was for a Gaia post entitled “Are Women (Spiritually) Superior To Men? A Call To Action!” Having just finished Robert Bly's male empowerment book "Iron John: A Book About Men," I had a hot flood of testosterone flowing through my veins and thus, more than a few reactions to Robert's post. I said so in my own response entitled "Are Women (Spiritually) Superior to Men? A dissenting view!" A friendship between us ensued resulting in several phone conversations, and then this interview on January 27, 2016. I'm really looking forward to continuing my friendship and conversation with Robert, either in New York City where he lives with his wife, or for sure in Orlando Florida this fall where we are both speakers at The Afterlife Conference.

The show has a slightly different sound and feel, thanks to a little persuasion from someone influential. We'll still be talking about death, dying and the afterlife, but with something new.

In part one of this interview we met Barbara Karnes who spent decades working as a Registered Nurse and was present for the deaths of hundreds of people. The observations she made during those sacred moments, and the lessons she learned, led Barbara to craft a new way to think about dying, one that will transform how families might help a loved one die, and how you might help yourself when your time comes. Her compassionate wisdom is offered in a kit that includes two easy to read booklets and a copy of her new award winning film "New Rules for End of Life Care.”   Now if you haven’t had the opportunity to listen to part one, you might want to jump over there and take a listen, because that’s where we first meet Barbara, and where she talks about how to recognize the signs that someone is dying, and some specific things you can do to help a loved one when they are dying. In this part two we dig deeper into what’s in Barbara's kit, how it helps, and we take a trip in the Dance to Death time machine into the future. I even ask Barbara if Grandma should be allowed to spark one up and get stoned in her dying days if that what she wants. I think you’ll be surprised at her answer.   Please join me now for part two of my two part interview with internationally respected speaker, educator, author, thought leader, and now, award winning film producer, Barbara Karnes RN.

While at the bedside of hundreds of people during the dying process, my guest Barbara Karnes, a Registered Nurse, 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 had the same questions. These realizations led Barbara to sit down and write the "Little Blue Book” —  a book that changed an industry. Written in non-medical language for families, her booklet changed the way we experience the death of a loved one, because with knowledge comes understanding, and understanding reduces fear.   Barbara's most recent project is a 25 minute film called "New Rules for End of Life Care,” in which she compassionately explains the stages of the dying process, talks about behavior changes as they pertain to food, sleep, and withdrawal, and addresses issues relating to the use of narcotics, addiction, and overdosing. The film is racking up more awards than I can list, and when you listen to Barbara speak, you’ll know why. Hers is the voice of wisdom, grace, experience, and kindness.   Please join me for part one of my two part interview with internationally respected speaker, educator, author, thought leader, and now, award winning film producer, Barbara Karnes.

I’ve been promising for some time now to take the show straight to hell and that time is now! I’m so excited to have my friend Gary Amirault on the show, but before I introduce him I want to explain some of the noises you might hear in the background. I’m celebrating the holidays with my wife’s family and so am recording this in the town of Recife, Brazil, where the neighbors are having a wonderful party. Maybe we’ll join them for a Caipirinha or three later on. I could have gone to a quieter place to record but I intentionally  stayed where I am because I love feeling like one little white fish in a psychedelic human aquarium of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-racial diversity. In fact, I believe that’s what heaven will look like. Curiously, that love has a lot to do with the subject of hell. In the first moments of this show you’ll hear how I went searching for a way I could retain my respect for the Bible as divinely inspired, and yet lose a doctrine that was no longer compatible with my heart’s beliefs. That is how I found Gary. Here is a man who thinks with both his heart and his head, and this balanced emotionally and intellectual intelligence, plus a lot of research and study, led him to conclude heaven will include a whole lot more souls that most people think, and hell will not only be empty, it doesn’t exist at all. Let the Fighten’ Fundies light up the phones with their protests as we drop in on a conversation with Gary Amirault of tentmaker.org

This is part two of a two part interview with Irene Weinberg, author of They Serve Bagels in Heaven. In part one, we learned about how Irene’s husband Saul was tragically killed in a car accident that also left Irene severely injured. As Irene began to heal and put the pieces of her life back together, her beloved Saul reached across the divide between the living and the dead, helping Irene to make positive changes that have affected her whole family. Those communications from the dead involved skilled psychics. Now I’ll confess I am still skeptical about such things, which you know if you’ve read my post on the dancetodeathafterlife.com blogsite called “I’ll have my medium rare.” But Irene has no such doubts, and there is surely no debating she is one happy, energetic, joyful, and spirited woman. That comes through in spades in this part two of my interview with Irene Weinberg of They Serve Bagels in Heaven.

In 1997, Irene Weinberg and her beloved husband Saul were driving home when their SUV went into a skid, flipped multiple times, and careened off the road. Irene, severely injured, turned to her husband but knew instantly that he was dead. That day, as tragic as it was, began a new chapter in Saul and Irene's centuries long love affair that transcends both time and place, and has helped make Irene the joyful, happy and thankful person you will hear on this interview. In part one we talk about how you have a chance to heal on the other side, how life is about living love, and about how they serve bagels in heaven. Join me for part one of my two part interview with Irene Weinberg, author of "They Serve Bagels in Heaven.”

You may recall from a few months ago my interview with David Dedrick from the Compleatly Beatles podcast, when we talked about how death affected the lives and music of the Beatles. That was Part One. Well it’s been a long and winding road since then and now, but Part Two is here and it is a perfect example of how much fun two guys can have when talking about the great music of the 60’s and 70’s. Not only does David go into more detail about the Paul is Dead myth, but he also dives into stories about Hendrix, Dylan, the Byrds, and even Hey Hey We’re the Monkees. You’ll find it all here in Part Two of my interview with David Dedrick from the Sneaky Dragon and Completely Beatles podcasts. Now where did we leave off? Ah yes…the death of George Harrison, and and how he made his final wish come true.

Here’s a little story about the famous Swiss psychotherapist Carl Gustav Jung. It’s been said that whenever a friend reported enthusiastically, "I was promoted at work!" Jung would say, "I'm very sorry to hear that; but if we all stick together, I think we will get through it.” And if a friend arrived depressed and ashamed, saying, "I've just been let go," Jung would say, "Let's open a bottle of wine; this is wonderful news; something good will happen now.” Well something good did happen when my guest Dana Ostomel was let go from her job — she founded Deposit a Gift — the most fun, flexible, hassle-free way to raise money online for anything that matters to you, and that includes online memorials! In this interview, Dana tells us how her business can help you raise money for a funeral, memorial, or anything you care about, in an organized and efficient way. And then we wax about the future of the funeral industry! Well the future is now folks, in this eye opening interview with Dana Ostomel of Deposit-A-Gift.

He was in the nude, doing the tree pose on a bluff in Oaxaca, Mexico, when a shaman told Daniel Ortega he would be a healer. And so he has, mixing the cremated remains of humans and animals with hemp, ash, stone and other organic materials to create stunningly beautiful paintings and backlit keepsake vaults you can buy on his website. By transforming sacred elements into 95% green works of art, Daniel honors and heals the earth, fulfilling the shaman’s prophesy. Are you ready for a wild ride? Then join me on a high flying, smoke infused, electric kool-aid acid trip through the purple hazed mind of artist Daniel Ortega.

Hey there tigers and tigresses! So good to have you all back. In my last show, I had a wonderful time talking with Kat the Wiccan Mortician, who dropped out of mortuary school to pursue her advocacy for a more sensitive way to care for the dead and dying. We pick it back up with Kat now in Part Two of that interview, starting with a discussion about slow medicine, which is the latest trend in taking back control from the medical machine, her vision for a natural burial ground in Alaska, death doulas, human compositing, and a whole bunch of other interesting things you can only talk about with a lovely and intelligent Wiccan Mortician. You won’t be bored! That I assure you. So please join me for Part Two of my two part interview with Kat the Wiccan Mortician.

Ahoy me lads and lassies! Did ye think I was lost at sea? Well I was, kind of. My youngest daughter got married last Saturday, and for those of you who’ve been involved with a wedding, you know how that can keep a person busy. But I’m back with a bunch of new shows that I think you are going to really like, starting with this one with Kat the Wiccan Mortician. I hinted in my last show that a witch would be making an appearance, and poof! There she was! I didn't even have to wiggle my nose, I just, you know, picked up the phone and called her, like regular people. But you will find Kat anything but regular. Brilliant, insightful, friendly, caring, and plenty knowledgeable about both her Wiccan religion and the inner workings of the funeral industry. Please join me for Part One of my two part interview with Kat the Wiccan Mortician.