Death By Design

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Mike Ferris is a nationally recognized expert in home care and hospice sales, marketing, and customer service. He has consulted with many of the most successful home care and hospice organizations in the country. Mike and his team deliver consulting and training programs based on their combined experience and expertise. Their services focus on referral management to maximize admissions and increase partner loyalty.https://healthcarestrategica.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jonathan is obsessed with helping others improve positive and decrease negative habits to live more fulfilling lives. As the co-founder of Evolve United, he's fueled by spreading that positive impact. How? By presenting the multifamily industry with a tool that provides added value to residents, while simultaneously building the #1 place for wellness professionals to work in the US. He started young, getting his NSCA-CPT at 19, and went on to get his CSCS before graduating with a bachelor's degree in exercise science. The goal of becoming an NBS strength coach was no longer fulfilling when he realized he had the opportunity to make an impact on a national scale. His top priority is to make every members of Evolve United feel as valued as possible. By pouring into the lives of our wellness professionals, they can pour into the lives of those that they touch. His mantra is to be the change that you wish to see in the world and Evolve United is an extension of that mission to both our partners and team members. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A practicing physician for over 30 years, Dr. Martha Calihan blends her knowledge of Functional and Integrative medicine with the mystical and spiritual, creating the space to help people heal on all levels. She practices and teaches Mindfulness, offers workshops in the US and in Ireland, and has done extensive work in death and dying. She lives and practices in Leesburg, Virginia.In this memoir, A Death Lived, Dr Martha Calihan shares the story of her husband's final illness and death to address some of the big questions about end-of-life care and the dying process. Her unique perspective as both a wife and a physician allow her to explore these issues on a personal and professional level while also weaving in some of the mystical aspects of dying that she witnessed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrea is an LCSW with a unique skill set after years working in the field of palliative care and community education. She graduated from Indiana University and received her Master of Social Work from the University of Southern Indiana. She quickly learned grief is beyond death, but rather any form of loss. Her business, Tree of Life Counseling, LLC, has expanded upon the concept of traditional care and service. It embraces supporting people coping with or preparing for the ever-changing seasons of life, regardless of age or health condition, to start conversations and healing before it's too late. Services offered include mental health therapy, educational presentations, and advance care planning. Her non-profit, What Matters Most? Evansville, Inc. strives to be a ripple in the water through conversations at the crossroads of grief and inspiration with the goal of creating a community where you can live well and die well, because you can grieve well, all the losses. This is done through, but not limited to, it's podcast, River's Fog, setting up lemonade stand gatherings, and encouraging others to write in to their “Share Your Grief Story, Anonymously” Project. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Macy Catheter was invented by Brad Macy, a veteran hospice nurse and recipient of 2013's National Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse of the Year Award. The inspiration for its invention came directly from a memorable patient interaction.Over the years, Brad has seen thousands of difficult symptom management cases while assisting patients and their families in the middle of the night. The most challenging cases were when the patient could not swallow medication and end-of-life symptoms were spiraling out of control.One night, Brad had a patient who was experiencing severe terminal agitation. The patient was suffering; he was shouting, he was climbing out of bed, and he was clearly very frightened. Brad got orders to administer a sedative that would help calm the patient. Since the patient was unable to swallow, the prescribed route of administration was per rectum. He administered the sedative in tablet form rectally as prescribed, and waited “that difficult wait” for the patient to calm while giving the patient's son emotional support. An hour later, the patient was worse. The desire of both the patient and his family were that he be able to die peacefully and at home. Brad called the doctor again for a repeated dose of sedative. While preparing to administer the second dose, he realized that the previous dose was still undissolved in the patient's rectum.Brad was left with a dilemma that is well-known by every experienced hospice nurse: how to help a patient who is experiencing severe symptoms and unable to swallow reach a state of comfort within the home setting.Motivated to reduce the severe agitation and suffering of his dying patient, Brad found a way to give the medication as a suspension that would absorb quickly in the patient's dry rectum. He crushed the tablet, added water, and administered the medication suspension into the rectum with a urinary catheter. The patient calmed down quickly and was sound asleep within thirty minutes. The patient's son was deeply grateful for an easy solution that controlled his father's symptoms with minimal subsequent discomfort or disruption. The patient died peacefully at home a few days later.Given the successful outcome of this case, Brad decided to create an optimized device to facilitate this intervention. He subsequently co-founded Hospi with the goal of making a commercial device available that could provide comfort and relief for patients and their loved ones on a much larger scale than would be possible as a lone practitioner.Hospi developed the Macy Catheter to improve the patient and caregiver experience with serious or terminal illness. The Macy Catheter is designed to maintain patient comfort and dignity while leveraging the speed and established benefits of rectal administration. The Macy Catheter is of particular relevance during end of life, as it can help patients remain comfortable in their home. It can also reduce the need for more costly and complex administration routes like intravenous delivery, which is seldom used in the hospice setting. The patented device has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. FDA.To learn more about Hospi Corporation, click here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hospice physician. End-of-life researcher. Acclaimed author of Death Is But a Dream. Death Is But a Dream, based on Dr. Kerr's extensive research with hospice patients and their families in Buffalo, NY, highlights and validates the powerful dreams and visions often experienced at end of life that bring comfort and meaning to the dying process.Dr. Kerr is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, a valued member of our Coalition and parent organization of Hospice Buffalo. Dr. Kerr wrote Death Is But a Dream, an examination of ELEs, based on his experience with hospice patients and their families in Buffalo, NY.“Surviving Death” is a six-part series that explores the end of life through personal stories and research on near-death experiences. The fifth episode documents Dr. Kerr's conversations with hospice patients of all ages who report seeing and interacting with deceased loved ones. These experiences can offer comfort for people as they near the end of life and, in turn, for their caregivers and loved ones.“We've done studies of hundreds of bereaved people and it's very clear that what is good for the patient is good for the loved ones, and it absolutely soothes them in grief,” Dr. Kerr explains during an interview for the series.“Surviving Death” is now available to stream on Netflix here. For more information on Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, click here. You can also learn more about the work of Dr. Kerr and his fellow researchers by clicking here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

​Just Call Bill specializes in providing technology services to senior adults and their families. We are the company that loves working with seniors! Our team of technology professionals has the experience to take care of your phone, tablet, laptop and computer and more. This is an ideal service for you, your mom, dad, aunt, uncle and grandparents who don't live close by family members and need assistance with their technology. Bill is a proven instructor at OLLI Furman, graduate of the Seniors Leaders of Greenville (OLLI Furman), instructor at Wofford Lifelong Learning Institute, member of the Upstate Senior Network, and has worked with several senior communities and centers, as well as hundreds seniors. He understands the value of relationships and successfully partners with businesses and organizations to provide services to the 55+ adults and their families.http://www.justcallbill.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2014, Margo Fowke's 21-year-old son, Jimmy, died after an eight-year battle with brain cancer. A year later, her mother died. In 2017, the Loomis resident started the website Salt Water (findyourharbor.com). The website is chock-full of blogs with topics ranging from loss to caring for yourself after loss. It also offers resources for the bereaved as well for tips for comforting the bereaved. (It's not so much what you say but that you say it that matters.) Margo Fowkes, Founder of Salt Water, talk about the ways her grief has changed over time and offers hope for other grievers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jennifer O'Brien helps people talk about caregiving and end of life. She encourages compassionate, real conversation through her book, The Hospice Doctor's Widow: A Journal, where she shares her story of caregiving through collages and writings. After years of caring for people with serious illness as a physician, Jennifer's husband, Bob Lehmberg, was diagnosed with a stage IV, metastatic cancer. But caregiving for the man who had made a 40-year career of caregiving as a physician was not easy. When Jennifer's husband was diagnosed and later after he died, she turned to what had brought her comfort for years—art journaling. She documented and depicted the raw, honest, beautiful and exhausting reality of caregiving through collage, tableaus, notes and observations. She included much of the wisdom and perspective she learned from her husband in his years as a physician. When the book was just a stack of pages, she took it to a friend who had just been diagnosed with a rare, advanced bladder cancer. After reading the book and knowing his own prognosis, he said, “You need to give this to my wife. She needs to understand what is ahead and feel supported as my caregiver.” After seeing how much that stack of pages helped them in his final months, Jennifer knew that what she had created might help others.Having been a practice management consultant and educator to physicians for 30+ years, an executive administrator for two large medical practices, in administration at three major academic medical centers, the wife and now widow of a physician, Jennifer has a unique and thorough understanding of healthcare. Still, with all of this experience, caregiving for her dying husband was both the greatest honor and challenge of her life. Now Jennifer works to help caregivers feel supported while caring for others and taking care of themselves.https://www.hospicedrswidow.com/about See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ken Ross, son of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, is the founder of the EKR Foundation (2006) and President (2006-2013 & 2018-Present). He also served on the board of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Center from 1989-2005. Ken was the principal care provider for his mother in the last 9 years of her life until her passing in 2004.His responsibilities include handling over 80 publishers of Dr. Ross' work, public relations, copyright & trademark issues, website maintainance, developing foreign Kübler-Ross chapters, developing strategic partnerships, as well as preserving her archives. While growing up, he traveled with her extensively while on her numerous foreign trips witnessing her lectures and workshops. Ken has lectured on his mother's legacy for hospices and various conferences in South America, Asia, and Europe. There are several film projects that Ken is currently a consultant on including a major motion picture, a television series and various documentaries, both foreign and domestic.See Ken Ross on on YouTube.comA professional photographer by trade, he has photographed 101 countries.http://archive.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/06/19/20080619sr-kenross0621-ON.htmlwww.kenrossphotography.comAuthor, Real Taste of Life: A Journal by Ken Ross and Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, 2002Tea with Elisabeth by: Ken Ross, Fern Stewart Welch, and Rose Winters, 2009 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emma is a seasoned technology entrepreneur, MIT graduate, and award-winning change-agent, who started building online communities before Netscape was born. Her 25 year career leading online and mobile projects has included building tools to register young people to vote, creating online networks of support for families facing health challenges, and launching North America’s first online crisis intervention line. She also founded a scrappy, action-oriented, national non-profit focused on women & technology, that broke boundaries and developed leaders for 17 years.Grief Coach combines Emma's passion for mobile technology and engagement, with her deep commitment to giving people the confidence and tools they need to support each other through grief. She knows that, while nothing makes grief go away, supporting someone through loss is powerful and transformative for the supporter, and alters the trajectory for the grieving person too.https://grief.coach See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann was a fourth-generation physician living a nature-starved, hectic lifestyle until a walrus entered her life and changed everything. She is a shamanic healer and has trained at Michael Harner’s Foundation for Shamanic Studies and is a Master Coach trained at the Martha Beck Institute. She is the author of Swimming with Elephants (Conari Press) and The Book of Beasties: Your A-to-Z Guide to the Illuminating Wisdom of Spirit Animals (Sounds True, June 2018). She lives in northern Minnesota. For more, visit followyourfeelgood.com. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“Nobody likes to sit down and listen to a talk about life’s challenges. But somehow, Rachel makes it all Okay. Her warmth and sensitivity, and especially her story, enables us to hear brutal honesty and embrace it, rather than fear it. Bravo, Rachel Kodanaz.” —Ora DeMorrow, Senior Financial Advisor, Vice President Merrill LynchNo one knows better how to embrace life’s challenges than Rachel herself. Overcoming her own adversity of being widowed at 31 years old with a 2-year-old daughter, she “wows” audiences with her down-to-earth, current and relevant presentations – helping attendees to reach their potential by embracing and learning from all of life’s complexities. Having worked in management for Fortune 100 companies, she is fully aware of the see-saw created when personal and professional challenges collide. Rachel has been speaking passionately to national audiences of all sizes for 20 years, addressing all aspects of change, growth, and acceptance that comes with embracing life’s challenges – those expected and unexpected. Through her books, Living with Loss, One Day at a Time and Grief in the Workplace, Rachel offers a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and practical advice for those who have lost a loved one or are supporting someone who has lost a loved one. ​On October 1, 2019, Rachel released her third book, Finding Peace, One Piece at a Time. This book provides encouragement and tools for those seeking to down-size, right-size or sort through a loved one’s possessions. Whether they are in physical or electronic form, those possessions tell the story of the person’s life. Rachel’s book shares practical ways to thin, repurpose, and redistribute these possessions so they continue to share the story with future generations. Rachel is available for speaking appearances, educational programs, interviews and community outreach. https://www.rachelkodanaz.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Absolutely Delicious: A Chronicle of Extraordinary DyingAfter a life marbled with exploration, academia, and domesticity, the writer Valerie Lester retired to a residential hospice and set about enjoying the final act of her life. She died nine weeks later, having engaged in dying with equanimity, curiosity, and even amusement.In Absolutely Delicious, Valerie’s daughter describes a journey that illuminates the benefits of acceptance and the many gifts offered by daring to own one’s end.“As a palliative care physician I've read countless stories about dying patients but none as engaging and original as this, opening my eyes to what's possible for future patients and families I care for.” - Jane deLima Thomas, MD, Palliative Care Physician, Harvard Medical Schoolhttp://www.alisonjeanlester.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Vicky Roncero is a certified Usui Reiki Master Practitioner/ Instructor with a private practice, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. She is grateful to be working with Reiki and empowering clients to use this beautiful energy in whatever way is helpful to them. Some clients are healing from illness and injury, or managing stress and anxiety. Others are looking to feel more centered or grounded and are balancing their Chakras, to keep their energy flowing optimally.If you are feeling stuck or looking for more energy or inspiration, Reiki can be the key to breaking a habit, or cyclical behavior. Reiki truly can help you discover the new chapters of your life story, which are waiting to unfold.Vicky works with clients in private sessions, at her studio, and remotely, through distance sessions. She also conduct workshops and private training and instruction. Reiki can help from near or far, in groups or one-on-one.Work with Vicky. Reiki can help you manifest the goals you are looking to achieve and can help you balance your energy body, to maintain optimal wellness in your physical body. Reiki is for everyone.Vicky is also a writer/producer and have worked in television for over twenty-five years. She has been a storyteller. Vicky believes that Reiki is the ultimate story telling tool, as it takes you into someone’s energy field and helps you discover areas where they are holding trapped energy, which is keeping them stuck.Vicky's writing and producing experience, infused with Reiki training, is helpful in working with clients, to realize their dreams and spark their creativity, in all areas of life. Your stories are what got you here, but they don’t define you. You can turn the page to new beginnings, at any time.https://ronceroreiki.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Phyllis Shacter courageously shares the first personal story ever written about Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). This memoir and guidebook follows the journey she took with her husband, Alan. Alan decided to VSED – so he didn’t have to live into the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease.This is their love story, their partnership, the brave territory they traversed, including how they prepared themselves with proper medical and legal guidance when electing to VSED. Choosing to Die is filled with emotional depth and sensitivity as well as practical information outlining the process from beginning to end.Phyllis shares every detail, including what Alan experienced during the nine-and-a-half days it took for him to die, and how the experience transformed Phyllis. This book provides a deeper understanding of end of life choices, and for those diagnosed with a degenerative disease.Phyllis Shacter is a retired teacher, business consultant, life coach, and public speaker. Choosing to Die and PhyllisShacter.com are the most comprehensive resources on the subject of VSED available today.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An End of Life Doula is a non-medical person trained to care for someone holistically (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) at the end of life. End of Life Doulas are also known around the world as: end of life coaches, soul midwives, transition guides, death coaches, death doulas, doula to the dying, end of life doulas, death midwives, than a doula, and end of life guides.Due to the enormous number of the elder population, there is an overwhelming need for these services and support. Finding the right teacher and training program is one of the most important decisions you will make.International Doulagivers Institute, founded by Suzanne O’Brien RN, providing the highest level of education and certification for the End of Life Doula. Our Doulagiver training is akin to the birth doula model: both help people transition to and from this world. Facilitating this process requires education, training and compassion. Our certified End of Life Doulas are a global community working as an adjunct to Hospice and providing care and guidance for patients and families at the end of life.And you can find everything you need at Doulagivers, an internationally recognized leader in end of life training programs and care.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Claire B. Willis is a clinical social worker who has worked in the fields of oncology and bereavement for more than 20 years. A cofounder of the Boston nonprofit Facing Cancer Together, Willis has led bereavement, end-of-life, support, and therapeutic writing groups. She has co-taught Spiritual Resources for Healing the Mind, Body, and Soul at Andover Newton Theological School. She maintains a private practice in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a lay Buddhist chaplain ordained by Joan Halifax at Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, she focuses on contemplative practices for end-of-life care. For the past five years, she has been a student of Koshin Paley Ellison, a founding teacher at the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care. Besides Opening to Grief, Willis is the author of Lasting Words: A Guide to Finding Meaning Toward the Close of Life. OpeningtoGrief.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Connie Ducaine, PhD, LPC, LCADC, Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions, Vital DecisionsDr. Connie Ducaine is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Solutions at Vital Decisions and started her career with the organization 9 years ago working directly with health plan members who were approaching end of life. Through her clinical work, Dr. Ducaine has witnessed the benefits of advance care planning and patient engagement. As a licensed professional counselor, Dr. Ducaine continues to support individuals who are coping with various mental health issues. Dr. Ducaine is recognized as a visionary leader and trusted advisor with long-term executive relationships focused on providing support and programming for counselor educators and supervisors in the state.https://vitaldecisions.netSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Neil Beresin has worked with individuals and families in hospitals, hospice, schools, and private practice. Multiple lenses frame Neil's practice, including the work of theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel, Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön, psychologists Francis Weller and Murray Bowen, physician/writer Rachael Naomi Remen and the practice of mindfulness through poetry.Neil sees radical listening and reverent attentiveness as a spiritual practice. He meets individuals where they are and focus on helping them increase their ability to cope with what are often extraordinary circumstances. The focuses may be to increase ones’ ability to manage change, vulnerability, anxiety, fear, and the overwhelming heartache that emerges. It may include assisting individuals to connect or reconnect to practices, people, and principles that matter most to them. Neil may use poetry to provide additional comfort, deepen the space between us, and encourage reflection and opening.Neil Beresin helps individuals reflect on, metabolize, and shape their loss in a safe, sacred, meditative space.www.griefandpoetry.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jane Duncan Rogers is an award-winning life and death coach who helps people prepare well for a good end of life. Having been in the field of psychotherapy and personal growth for 25 years, she is founder of Before I Go Solutions, dedicated to educating people about dying, death, and grief.Before I Go Solutions is a social enterprise (sometimes known as a not-for-profit).We help people all over the world to actually get their plans done!Through your donation, no matter how big or small, you would be contributing tothe sponsorship of someone of a low income from a developing country who would be a suitable candidate for the end of life plan Facilitators Training - thereby bringing this work to their local communities.If you'd like to help in this way, please donate now, and help one person's life to grow so they can help others. Every donation counts towards our mission: "having end of life plans become as commonplace as birth plans!"https://beforeigosolutions.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kathleen Vallee Stein worked as an advocate for Medicare beneficiaries for many years. She became familiar with the Medicare Hospice benefit and the reluctance on the part of families to consider it. When her father was terminally ill, she experienced first-hand the difficulties families face when confronted with end-of-life issues. The dreaded decision to stop curative care and begin comfort care was monumentally difficult but resulted in a transformative experience for Ms. Stein and her family. She was moved to write a book about it, from a family member’s point of view. Ms. Stein’s opinion pieces have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, Orange County Register, and the Jewish Journal for more than twenty years. She writes about a variety of life experiences, such as caring for aging parents, raising children, and reflections on work, friendship, and nature. Loving Choices, Peaceful Passing: Why My Family Chose Hospice is her first book. Ms. Stein was Manager of the Los Angeles County Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) for the California Department of Aging. She trained volunteer peer counselors in Medicare and related health insurance, provided community education, and advocated for changes in Medicare law to benefit seniors. She was Director of Volunteers at the Aviva Center, a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected adolescent girls. As Director of Volunteer Development for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, she trained Girl Scout leaders in outdoor skills and troop management. As Park Ranger at Monrovia Canyon Park, she trained and directed a corps of Volunteer Rangers and led local schoolchildren on educational hikes through the canyon. Ms. Stein received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from California State University – Northridge. https://www.valleeview.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Allison Gilbert is an Emmy award-winning journalist and one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on grief and resilience. The author of numerous books including the groundbreaking, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, her stirring work exposes the secret and essential factor for harnessing loss to drive happiness and rebound from adversity. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Grieving Children and the Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the preeminent national organization providing grief support to families of America’s fallen heroes.Allison’s other books include, Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impacts the Way We Raise Our Children and Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents. She is also co-editor of Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11, the definitive historical record of how broadcast journalists covered that tragic day. The landmark book was turned into a documentary by the U.S. State Department and distributed to embassies and consulates around the world. Allison is the official narrator of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s core historical exhibition audio tour and her voice is introduced by Robert De Niro on the museum’s “Witnessing History” tour, the only female journalist to be so honored.On Allison’s popular grief and resilience blog, she features Q & A’s with some of the most notable names in our culture today including, Arianna Huffington, Jon Stewart, and New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin, Dani Shapiro, and Susan Orlean.Allison is a sought-after expert on grief, loss, resilience, cancer prevention, and September 11, appearing on TODAY, CNN, and MSNBC. She’s appeared at New York Open Center with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Soledad O’Brien, and she’s frequently quoted in print and online, her perspective featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications.Allison is a popular workshop leader and keynote speaker, helping individuals transform personal and professional setbacks into opportunity. She has spoken to such diverse groups as Google, Time Warner, National Association for Female Executives, Women’s Enterprise Development Center Inc., JCC in Manhattan, 92Y, Gilda’s Club, and New York Public Library. She also partners with hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and religious institutions, to bring her one-of-a-kind Memory Bash® events to communities across the country. She has run these fun and meaningful events for many groups, including New Song Center for Grieving Children in Phoenix, Hospice of the South Shore in Boston, and NorthShore University Hospital and Hospice in Chicago, to name just a few. Allison has served as Executive Family & Memories Editor for Legacy Republic and spokesperson for Funeral Service Foundation’s Have the Talk of a Lifetimecampaign.Her work can also be quite personal and revealing. After the death of Allison’s mother to ovarian cancer and her aunt and grandmother to breast cancer, (and following genetic testing that determined she is BRCA1 positive), she made the life-affirming choice to have two preventative cancer surgeries. Her pioneering series for HuffPost, “My Journey to Prevent Ovarian Cancer,” chronicles her decision to have a prophylactic hysterectomy. Allison writes about undergoing a double mastectomy in The New York Times and talks about the operation and recovery on MSNBC and with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta.Allison started her career in TV news, covering most every major news story in the last 20 years — including 9/11, when she was on the job and nearly killed by falling debris. At CNN, Allison produced TV segments and wrote stories for CNN.com. Before CNN, she was a special projects producer at WABC-TV and an investigative producer at WNBC-TV, both in New York. She was also part of the original launch teams for New York 1 News and MSNBC. Allison currently serves as Senior Writer for The Center for Parent and Teen Communication, located within the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Allison has received three Emmy awards and six Emmy nominations for various hard news reporting. She’s been awarded first place for consumer investigation by the National Association of Black Journalists, won “Best Multi-Part Investigative Series” by the Society of Professional Journalists, and received “Best Public Service” award by the Associated Press. For Parentless Parents, she’s winner of the Washington Irving Book Award.Allison graduated from Georgetown University and lives outside New York City. She and her husband have a son in college and a daughter soon to finish high school. You can learn more about her here: www.allisongilbert.com.https://www.allisongilbert.com/courses/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Allison Gilbert is an Emmy award-winning journalist and one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on grief and resilience. The author of numerous books including the groundbreaking, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, her stirring work exposes the secret and essential factor for harnessing loss to drive happiness and rebound from adversity. She serves on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Grieving Children and the Advisory Board for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, the preeminent national organization providing grief support to families of America’s fallen heroes.Allison’s other books include, Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impacts the Way We Raise Our Children and Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents. She is also co-editor of Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11, the definitive historical record of how broadcast journalists covered that tragic day. The landmark book was turned into a documentary by the U.S. State Department and distributed to embassies and consulates around the world. Allison is the official narrator of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s core historical exhibition audio tour and her voice is introduced by Robert De Niro on the museum’s “Witnessing History” tour, the only female journalist to be so honored.On Allison’s popular grief and resilience blog, she features Q & A’s with some of the most notable names in our culture today including, Arianna Huffington, Jon Stewart, and New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin, Dani Shapiro, and Susan Orlean.Allison is a sought-after expert on grief, loss, resilience, cancer prevention, and September 11, appearing on TODAY, CNN, and MSNBC. She’s appeared at New York Open Center with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Soledad O’Brien, and she’s frequently quoted in print and online, her perspective featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other publications.Allison is a popular workshop leader and keynote speaker, helping individuals transform personal and professional setbacks into opportunity. She has spoken to such diverse groups as Google, Time Warner, National Association for Female Executives, Women’s Enterprise Development Center Inc., JCC in Manhattan, 92Y, Gilda’s Club, and New York Public Library. She also partners with hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and religious institutions, to bring her one-of-a-kind Memory Bash® events to communities across the country. She has run these fun and meaningful events for many groups, including New Song Center for Grieving Children in Phoenix, Hospice of the South Shore in Boston, and NorthShore University Hospital and Hospice in Chicago, to name just a few. Allison has served as Executive Family & Memories Editor for Legacy Republic and spokesperson for Funeral Service Foundation’s Have the Talk of a Lifetimecampaign.Her work can also be quite personal and revealing. After the death of Allison’s mother to ovarian cancer and her aunt and grandmother to breast cancer, (and following genetic testing that determined she is BRCA1 positive), she made the life-affirming choice to have two preventative cancer surgeries. Her pioneering series for HuffPost, “My Journey to Prevent Ovarian Cancer,” chronicles her decision to have a prophylactic hysterectomy. Allison writes about undergoing a double mastectomy in The New York Times and talks about the operation and recovery on MSNBC and with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta.Allison started her career in TV news, covering most every major news story in the last 20 years — including 9/11, when she was on the job and nearly killed by falling debris. At CNN, Allison produced TV segments and wrote stories for CNN.com. Before CNN, she was a special projects producer at WABC-TV and an investigative producer at WNBC-TV, both in New York. She was also part of the original launch teams for New York 1 News and MSNBC. Allison currently serves as Senior Writer for The Center for Parent and Teen Communication, located within the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Allison has received three Emmy awards and six Emmy nominations for various hard news reporting. She’s been awarded first place for consumer investigation by the National Association of Black Journalists, won “Best Multi-Part Investigative Series” by the Society of Professional Journalists, and received “Best Public Service” award by the Associated Press. For Parentless Parents, she’s winner of the Washington Irving Book Award.Allison graduated from Georgetown University and lives outside New York City. She and her husband have a son in college and a daughter soon to finish high school. You can learn more about her here: www.allisongilbert.com.https://www.allisongilbert.com/courses/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

“I think we need to do something about death.”Liz lost her dad as a young kid, when her grandmother (dad’s mom) died in the winter of 2018, she was tasked with all of the planning that ensued. She walked into the nursing home where her grandmother lived and was confronted with two police officers, a nurse, her grandmother’s body, and a question of “what do you want to do next?” Needless to say, the experience was overwhelming, complicated, and pretty much entirely unguided.Liz started asking questions about why a better option didn’t exist and turned to Alyssa, her go-to person for cracking a difficult challenge. Together they started answering that question with “it should and we should build it.”Liz built her first company at 15 and led communications from inception for the nation's first free, 24/7 crisis support line, Crisis Text Line. She's also a board member of Experience Camps, a free summer camp for grieving kids.https://lantern.coSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In addition to being a wife and mother, Laura Sterner found her calling is wellness. Finding her place in life has been an evolution. For Laura, it started with poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and excessive stress as a norm. This lifestyle, and a genetic predisposition, yielded a fight with blood pressure issues when she had her firstborn. Holding the new little life, as well as her own health issues, provided a wake-up call to start initiating a lifestyle change. Fast forward 3 years, Laura's middle child, and only son, was born. His arrival also came with a bundle of allergic responses, asthma, and an ALTE, and Laura, still had blood pressure issues. This was where the rubber hit the road. Laura's focus shifted to ingesting as much information as she could regarding wellness to improve her family’s quality of life. She had been on an info gathering mission ever since, but now with a much clearer sense of purpose and a desire to help others who have faced a similar journey and challenges. This new path has drastically changed the quality of life, and Laura's desire is to be able to support others to make positive changes to create a ripple effect of health. In today’s hustle, families have an ever-increased need for guidance navigating the health industry and finding their own balance. With Laura's skill set, Her hope to provide guidance to individuals and families so that they can make decisions to improve their wellness.http://laurasterner.com/Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Erica Buist is a journalist and writer from London, England, and the author of the forthcoming book This Party's Dead. After finding her father-in-law dead after eight days, she embarked on a journey around the world to seven festivals for the dead – in Mexico, Nepal, Sicily, Thailand, Madagascar, Japan and Indonesia – to see how other cultures deal with death anxiety. Along the way she also met a voodoo priestess, an anti-death campaigner, and was even hit in the head by a corpse. Available to preorder from Waterstones (hardback) and Barnes & Noble (ebook)Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a senior adult, Lesleigh Tolin lost both of her parents. She grew up in a home where alcohol and emotional and physical abuse created ongoing chaos. She knows what it’s like to camouflage emotional pain. As a young girl and a young woman, Lesleigh suffered from the addiction of binge eating. She's known the sweetness of recovery from food addiction for several decades. She was honored to give her father a 14 year chip at AA the year before he died.Lesleigh has suffered the loss of dear friends to cancer, to suicide, and to a plane crash. She has weathered the deep emotional loss of beloved pets. She knows the heartache of divorce in early life and the sadness of a final farewell to her late ex-husband. Later in life, Lesleigh is now married to a wonderful man, a former widower and has experienced how loss and change can impact a loving family. Lesleigh knows firsthand the vulnerability of dating a widower, blending families, and creating a flourishing relationship.It is these life experiences, combined with her education, training and deep empathy for human suffering that make her so proud to do this work. Today, Lesleigh has joy in her life and considers it an honor to help others reclaim their heart and their lives through the Grief Recovery Method.https://lesleighjtolin.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are North Carolina’s only citizen advocacy Not for Profit specifically seeking enactment of Medical Aid in Dying legislation in N.C. and respect for every individual’s End of Life Decision.Jay Niver is a retired journalist and public relations consultant who became involved in the right-to-die movement by supporting and documenting his father's "final exit.” An Ohio native, Jay worked 30 years in the Carolinas before moving to Canada and returning after his wife's long, drawn-out surrender to terminal disease. He has extensive experience in corporate and healthcare communications, as well as editing newspapers and specialized publications.Jay@dyingrightnc.orgSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It was April of 2017 when Garrick and the late Kinsloe Kelley Colwell, LMFT, invited over 20 Austin area healthcare professionals to meet and discuss ways in which they could assist the Central Texas community in becoming aware of the importance of completing their advance care directives. Over the next few months, the group met and decided to offer educational programs and resources through a non-profit organization they would call Kitchen Table Conversations. They felt the name of the organization would encourage people to have the end of life conversations in the comfort of their homes instead of during a medical crisis in the ICU. July 1, 2017, this web site was launched. The first workshop was offered the following month. In October, AARP of Central Texas began sponsoring The 3 Ds of Advance Care Planning: How to Decide, Discuss, and Document Your End of Life Wishes workshops. In 2020 AARP will sponsor four such webinars that will reach thousands of Central Texans.These workshops are facilitated by Garrick Colwell, President, and CEO of Kitchen Table Conversations. Garrick has been a Hospice Volunteer since 1987, serving as an on-call hospital and hospice chaplain. He is a Respecting Choices® Person-Centered Care First Steps® Advance Care Planning Certified Instructor and Facilitator. As a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, he co-created with Hospice Austin Conversations On Grief, a monthly online grief support program. As a volunteer, he co-facilitates drop-in and loss of spouse grief support groups.Garrick has completed over 200 hours of study with a grief expert David Kessler at grief.com. David is the author of five bestselling books on grief. His first book, The Needs of the Dying, is a #1 best-selling hospice book praised by Mother Teresa. He co-authored with the legendary Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, MD, both On Grief and Grieving and Life Lessons. David's most recent book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief, was published in November 2019.Recently, Garrick completed 240 hours of training with the author, educator, and griefcounselor Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D., CT, and holds a Death and Grief Studies certificate from the internationally recognized Center for Loss and Life Transition, a private an organization founded by Dr. Wolfelt that is dedicated to furthering our understanding of grief. In 2020 Kitchen Table Conversations began offering their Grief Education webinar series. Topics, dates, and times can be found on our Home Page; click on Grief Education.Garrick can be reached at 512-787-3402 orgarrick@KitchenTableConversations.org Host a Kitchen Table Conversations Webinar, Activity, or EventIf you're interested in hosting a FREE workshop, activity, or event on Advance Care Planning for your company, faith community or special interest group, please call us today at 512-787- 3402.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

HOPE EDELMAN has been writing, speaking, and leading workshops and retreats in the bereavement field for more than 25 years. She was 17 when she lost her mother to breast cancer and 40 when her father died, events that inspired her to offer grief education and support to those who cannot otherwise receive it.Her first book, Motherless Daughters, was a #1 New York Times bestseller and appeared on multiple bestseller lists worldwide. Her work has been translated into 14 languages and published in 11 countries. Hope is the author of seven additional nonfiction books, including Motherless Mothers and the memoir The Possibility of Everything. She was the recipient of the 2020 Community Educator Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling and has won a Puschcart Prize for her creative nonfiction.In addition to writing and speaking, she is a certified Martha Beck Life Coach and also leads nonfiction workshops to help writers tell, revisit, and revise their stories of loss. Hope lives and works in Los Angeles and Iowa City.The AfterGrief OverviewDrawing on her own encounters with the ripple effects of early loss, as well as on interviews with dozens of researchers, therapists, and regular people who’ve been bereaved, New York Times bestselling author Hope Edelman offers profound advice for reassessing loss and adjusting the stories we tell ourselves about its impact on our identities.With guidance for reframing a story of loss, finding equilibrium within it, and even experiencing renewed growth and purpose in its wake, she demonstrates that though grief is a lifelong process, it doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle.https://hopeedelman.com/books/the-aftergrief/We don’t ever ‘get over’ the death of a loved one.But we do eventually ‘get on‘ with living in a world without this essential person by our side.It takes time to learn how to live in this new world. It takes time.”— HOPE EDELMANSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Untold: Creating Space for Loss After StillbirthTuesday, December 1, 5 p.m. Pacific Time Join us for a live performance of Elizabeth Coplan's play Untold, and join Dr. Jillian Tullis, University of San Diego, to discuss communication challenges and grief that arise after a stillbirth.Veteran Grief Dialogues actors (Left to Right) Gretchen Douma, Shane Regan, and Joanne Burger perform in this live performance.Following the performance, Dr. Jillian Tullis will discuss the communication challenges from witnessing a baby’s death. Is it truly "the smallest yet most powerful thing we can do."Jillian A. Tullis, Ph.D. (Far right) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of San Diego. Her teaching and research interests focus on health communication, specifically communication about dying and death in healthcare settings. Tullis’ scholarship used qualitative methods to study such topics as hospice team communication, tumor boards, spirituality, dying, death, quality of life, and a “good death.”Warning: The play contains scenes of childbirth and may trigger feelings of depression and grief especially among those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth, failed IVF, and/or unsuccessful adoption. https://letsreimagine.org/58851/untold-creating-space-for-loss-after-stillbirthSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Eileen Robertson Hamra is the woman you meet—at the gym, in the coffee shop, or dropping off the kids at school—with a story that draws you in the minute she begins to tell it. At age forty-one, after losing her husband in a plane crash, she became a single mother to three children aged eight, seven and four. Overnight, the man she thought she would spend eternity with, the literal pilot of her family’s wonderful life, was gone. When everything seemed broken, the future she dreamed about now impossible, Eileen had to make choices she never imagined making.What she did choose to do was peel herself out of bed those first few weeks of mourning, and with constant love and support from family and friends, she found a well of inner strength and she dipped down into it. Working through her own grief and the grief of her children, Eileen experienced a gradual spiritual awakening. The result? On the other side of tragedy, she found new love, gave birth to a miracle child, and rediscovered her calling: to build stronger, loving and ever evolving families.Eileen believes we don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose the story we tell when asked, “What happened?”With the intention of helping others tap into their inner resilience and reimagine adversity as an opportunity for growth, Eileen shares her story of loss and rebuilding in her memoir, Time to Fly. Because of her story—thanks to her story—Eileen has dedicated her life’s work to carrying on the legacy of the family she grew up with, the family she created with Brian and the family she continues to grow with Mike.Eileen holds transformational retreats in Chicago, Los Cabos and elsewhere. As a public speaker, certified yogi, holistic nutritionist, and life coach with an MBA, Eileen brings a practical, holistic and humanistic approach to everything she does. From creative advising to impact investing, to building strength emotionally or physically, Eileen holds space to stay focused on what she believes matters most—family, friends, and community.https://www.eileenrobertsonhamra.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home is the largest member group of home health & hospice leaders championing home-based solutions as vital to better health in CT. Through networking, education and advocacy leadership, the Associations is helping those in the CT healthcare continuum get connected, be informed and create change.https://www.cthealthcareathome.orgTracy WodatchPresident & CEO Courtney VerissimoMembership & Events Manager Doreen NapoliEducation & Events Planner Alison ClarkOperations ManagerSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Olga is a death educator, certified in Thanatology, the study of death, dying, loss and bereavement. She is the founder and director of DyingMatters.ca and provides educational presentations and workshops on death, dying, loss and bereavement. She is one of the founding faculty members of the BEyond Yonder Virtual School for Death Midwifery in Canada. Olga has over 20 years of experience in health care, serving as a regional Hospice Palliative Care Planner, community palliative care nurse and healthcare educator. Her educational history includes a bachelor degree in Anthropology and Psychology, a Master’s degree in Religion and Culture, and an interdisciplinary certificate in palliative care. As a death educator Olga continues to gain knowledge in the field of spiritual care, death, dying and living. Olga is thrilled to be part of the We Can Die Better movement in Canada, contributing her experience, knowledge and passion.What makes Olga a great mentor is her ability to recognize that we all posses our own inner wisdom when it comes to death, dying, loss and bereavement, and that being a mentor is to assist in the expansion of that wisdom by offering new information, knowledge and insight. “I have learned much from my own mentors, teachers and guides, and strive to provide a non-judgemental approach to guide anyone in their own personal learning.”Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hunter Doherty "Patch" Adams (born May 28, 1945) is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author. He founded the Gesundheit! Institute in 1971. Each year he organizes volunteers from around the world to travel to various countries where they dress as clowns to bring humor to orphans, patients, and other people.Adams is currently based in Urbana, Illinois. In collaboration with the institute, he promotes an alternative health care model not funded by insurance policies.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mariah Riess tells her story:MY STORYOn any given day, from my practice in Dover, MA, I speak with weight management clients from Seattle to Baltimore who seek compassionate support and expertise. Via phone, Skype or in person, I help many do the seemingly impossible: lose weight and develop skills to prevent weight gain.On a parallel track are clients who have experienced heartbreaking loss: both human and four-footed. Grief is an experience deserving compassion and expert care. If dismissed, suppressed or silenced, a world of pain may remain. In a culture that is ever hesitant to truly acknowledge the oh-so-human phenomenon of mourning, I have dedicated myself to providing a home for a different, kinder path.I discovered my constellations of callings through a series of events over the course of life.I began working with overweight patients in 1982. As an early stage employee of Health Management Resources, a Boston based start-up committed to providing effective, high quality behavioral treatment for overweight, I became Director of Overweight Treatment. HMR, a company on the rise and requiring many hours of dedication from each employee, was the perfect training ground as I was determined to make a difference with a population in despair. In my role, I co-led teams of trainers who implemented the program nationally, rapidly sharing and bringing this effective treatment method to many.Fast-forward fifteen years, while raising two children, Kerrin and Devon, and wanting to spend more time closer to home, I launched my private practice in Dover, MA. Bringing a compassionate, effective approach that would have a lasting impact requires teaching clients skills for weight loss and the prevention of weight regain. Working closely with my clients and having an appreciation for the deep challenge health management represents, allowed individuals and families to re-set, attaining lower weights and establishing healthier lifestyles. My practice quickly grew.While working closely with my clients on weight over many years, I also shared their personal losses - a parent, a child, a friend. In addition, I experienced the illness and passing of several dear to me. As a result, in 2013, I began to explore the profound challenges related to the process of mourning. This path included post-graduate training and many hours as a hospice volunteer. With these experiences and training, I incorporated grief support counseling into my practice.https://www.mariahriess.com/my-story“The world of loss is omnipresent in our lives. Grief does not have an expiration date. Often complex, heartbreaking, and confusing, loss may be difficult to make sense of or for others to be around. Grief and loss work is the way in which I can hold the hand of another and not let go, when others might.”Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In her 40’s, Gabrielle went back to school to become a hospice nurse. She shares her difficult journey in her book “Soft Landing”. Becoming a hospice nurse opened her eyes and changed how she saw her world. She discusses some of the wonderful people she cared for until they passed, and the lessons she learned about life through death.https://www.thehospiceheart.netSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is with great excitement that we announce that Death by Design is partnering with PartnerPlus Media to enhance hospice educational materials in local communities. PartnerPlus Media and Death by Design share similar passions when it comes to supporting hospice organizations through thoughtful educational resources to comfort families and patients facing a life-limiting illness. Together, we can enhance end-of-life education by sharing a common goal —supporting patients and families. The greatest part about this unique collaboration is that it is done at NO COST to hospice organizations.PartnerPlus Media PartnerPlus Media supplies print and digital marketing solutions to thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations in the United States, Canada, and the UK. For over 20 years, they have worked with clients from world-renowned brands. PartnerPlus Media is passionate about working with those who make a difference in the lives of hospice patients. The innovative vision of PartnerPlus Media has helped develop a unique resource guide for hospices to utilize within their local community. The organization is a member of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization as well and maintains close relationships with leading hospices in the United States. In this time of uncertainty, PartnerPlus Media is committed to expanding the knowledge of end-of-life services at no charge to the hospice agencies locally supporting families and patients every day. www.partnerplusmedia.comDeath by Design Many of you may know me, but for the newbies, I’m Kimberly C. Paul. I have worked in the end-of-life field for 20 years. I initially worked in television and film but when I lost my boyfriend to cancer, my world imploded. It changed my direction by creating a path into a very dark tunnel called grief. With my creative background, I wanted to give back to hospices. What was initially a temporary career, became a lifelong passion. Through my Ted Talk, Podcast (Death by Design), and book (Bridging the Gap), I’m hoping to expand awareness about hospice services on a local, community, medical and personal level. I’m thrilled to collaborate with PartnerPlus Media to introduce new and innovative ways to enhance brand, language, and educational tools as well as build a new community relationship that ultimately supports local hospices in their area. Combining my talent for creative marketing and my passion to serve those facing a life-limiting illness is my commitment. Together, we can radically change how individuals face the end of their lives. www.deathbydesign.com The benefits of working with Death by Design and PartnerPlus Media are:· Over 20 years of creative hospice marketing experience exceeding census and referral goals. · Working with a world-renowned creative design team to enhance your hospice brand · Increasing your outreach efforts by expanding community relationships and growing potential fundraising opportunities. · Working with a team specializing in the supply of innovative, no-cost marketing solutions.· Providing in-home resources for families on how to provide a safe environment when caring for a loved one with a serious illness (fall prevention tips).· Providing a central location for all hospice contact numbers for families to prevent unnecessary 911 calls / ER visits.· Creating an effective “leave behind” for families not ready to accept the hospice philosophy upon initial referral as a community educational tool for families.· Deliver essential information to patients and families, including carbonated / perforated forms such as admission paperwork, advance directives, supply lists, donations, etc.We, Kimberly C. Paul and PartnerPlus Media, look forward to supporting your hospice and growing the community message and resources for those facing life-limiting illnesses. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

November 13- 15, 2020Everyone has a calling. Michele Little’s happened to come her late 50's. Michele’s experiences in life, both personally and professionally, have given her the tools and skills to be of service to those facing end of life. As a Death Midwife, event planner and end of life leader, she believes the time is now to celebrate our lives combining our dying and death as a continuum of life. Michele created the Beautiful Dying Expo which launched in San Deigo in 2019. Now in the most challenging times we’ve seen, the 2020 Beautiful Dying Expo goes virtual. Give yourself permission to take this dying and death conversation to the next level; that of having a plan of action with the assistance from experts and professionals in the field of Palliative Care, Hospice, Family-Assisted Memorials, Funerals, Vigils, Rites of Passage and more. www.beautifuldyingexpo.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introducing, One Last ThingOne Last Thing is a video experience accompanied by a digital lifebook; a place for everything you need to share the story about your life and plan for death. One Last Thing takes the guesswork out of how to get started. We guide you and provide thought-starters, so it feels natural to share memories, tell your story, and express what matters most.One Last Thing makes a tough thing easier. We cover the tactical aspects such as your:medical and healthcare directivesestate and financesdigital lifememorialpersonal belongings...and then we get to the good stuff, the lessons you've learned, your secrets to a good life, and so much more. We even guide and support you as you write letters that will be sent after you're gone, a treasure that will stay with your loved ones.One Last Thing is your story of living and dying well. The end result is a cover to cover, comprehensive lifebook that’s uniquely about you.Early backers will get access to our private online community for live Q&A's, interviews, webinars, and additional content.Fawn: As a hospice volunteer, an end-of-life Doula, and now an educator, I understand the complexities of dying and the difficulties loved ones face when managing their affairs after their loved one has passed on. There’s so much that’s missing currently in the way that we die.Michael: As a storyteller and visual arts creator, the thing I keep returning to is that I want my life to mean something. Something I can pass on that will be of use to those that come after me. When we share our stories, truths, perspectives with others, that's how we pass down our values and traditions.Join the Kickstarter...https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/onelastthing/one-last-thing?ref=project_emailThere is no greater gift to those we love and ourselves, then to have a chance to share that.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/death-by-design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cindy Massey was born in San Francisco, California. Her spiritual quest began when she had her first Near-Death Experience at three-years-old. At that time she also experienced spiritual audio messages and visiting parallel universes. During her lifetime she has crossed into other dimensions to understand her purpose in life, as well as to assist others in overcoming their daily challenges and releasing their fear. Since her initial encounter, the light being she saw has provided comfort, but also insights into what is really important for her and the entire planet. Her book, Evolve, was written as the result of a ‘call’ to share her information with others so individual human consciousness could elevate and the earth could heal. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. D. Antonio Cantù and his wife Sandy have three children, Derek, Dylan, and Deanna. Dr. D. Antonio Cantù is Associate Dean and Director of the Department of Education, Counseling, and Leadership at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Cantù received his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Southern Illinois University, Ed.S. in Community College Education, M.A. in History, and B.S. in Social Science Education from Arkansas State University. He has also attended educational leadership institutes at the College of William & Mary and Yale University. Prior to his appointment as Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Bradley University, he served as Professor and Dean of Education at Indiana University Kokomo, Professor of History and Director of Social Studies Education, as well as editor of the International Journal of Social Education, at Ball State University, and Social Studies Department Chair and Teacher at Ste. Genevieve (MO) High School. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Professor Cantù also served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. With nearly 30 years of experience in professional education, from high school through the graduate level, Professor Cantù’s articles have appeared in such publications as the Organization of American Historians’ Magazine of History, American Historical Association Perspectives, National Council for History Education History Matters, and the Journal of the Association for History and Computing. He is also the author of a number of books and curriculum monographs: Presidential Elections: 1789-1996, Early Education in Arkansas Delta, An Investigation of the Relationship Between Social Studies Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices, The Vietnam War: A National Dilemma, and Take Five Minutes: Reflective and Critical Thinking American History Class Openers. In addition, Dr. Cantù’s most recent book publications include the following: The Art and Science of Elementary Social Studies Education, 2nd Edition (2015), ILTS: Test for Academic Proficiency (2013), History/Social Studies Education in the Digital and Standards-Based Classroom (2012), Technology Applications for the Digital Classroom (2011), The Art and Science of Elementary Social Studies Education (2010), History Education 101: The Past, Present, and Future of Teacher Preparation (2008), and Teaching History in the Digital Classroom (2003). He has also served as a curriculum writer for various national organizations including The History Channel, The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition and PBS Frontline, and as editor of The International Journal of Social Education. Dr. Cantù has also served in a variety of leadership positions in professional organizations, including service as President of the American Association for History and Computing, President of the Indiana Council for the Social Studies and Missouri Council for the Social Studies, and Chair of three National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Committees. In addition, he currently serves on a number of national governing boards and editorial boards; including as a member of the Governing Board of the National Social Science Association (NSSA), and House of Delegates for the National Council for the Social Studies. At the state level, Professor Cantu currently serves as a member of the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board for the Illinois State Board of Education; Past-President of the Illinois Association for Teacher Education in Private Colleges (IATEPC); Communications Director for the Illinois Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (IACTE); and Executive Director of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies (ICSS). Ted Talk: Memento Mori: the personification of Deathhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnnqRy6ctI&feature=emb_logoSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Master Craftsman Jeremy Burrill has been creating functional art for two decades, ranging from custom dining tables to electric guitars. Spurred by the need for an environmentally friendly, economical and dignified option for families to honour their loved ones, Burrill is now creating simple yet refined pine-box caskets.Hand-crafted from local New Brunswick pine, his creations are elegantly laying down those to rest who prefer the simple things in life. With ever growing costs and complications in the funeral process, Fiddlehead Casket Company seeks to reduce stress, both financially and emotionally, offering an environmentally friendly pine casket. Even the cherry dowels used for joinery are handmade, and a refined casket is born at the hands of Burrill. You can reach Jeremy any time at jeremy@fiddleheadcaskets.comhttp://www.fiddleheadcaskets.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paul King: The day that my dad died is indelibly etched in my mindspace. I can’t unsee the staples and indent on his head left behind from a piece of removed skull to make way for the tumor that would take his life. I can’t unhear the sounds of my mom’s desperate voice when she discovered he had died while she was sitting in the room. I can’t unpack how a man can be playing nine holes of golf and splitting wood one day to speaking gibberish on the next. I can’t understand how a 59yo man isn’t alive to see my or my sister’s wedding, future children, and kickass career. I can’t undo the agonizing pain of withholding the truth of my experience. My dad had died. And when he did... it blew the lid off my happy family. My life was permanently, and irreversibly changed. I have been intimate with death. Everyone and everything on this planet will face the same fate. Stories make it easier. These are those. This is The Death Diaries. I am your host, Paul King. On this podcast, I’m welcoming conversations about death. Together, we’ll seek the deeper meaning of Life (and her wicked-but-misunderstood stepmother, Death.) Through self exploration, soul searching, and honest talk, I hope to normalize death. This way, it won’t be so big and so scary when it happens to you. TRANSITION This is “D-Squared.” The episode where we square up with death, and don’t back down. If you love this episode as much as I do, head over to iTunes, stitcher or wherever you listen and subscribe. MAIN Dear Diary, Why are we here? If we’re born to die….. what’s the point? From the moment of birth you are on a slow and steady march towards dying. It seems to me like we’re in denial about what it’s going to be like to get intimate with death. Big time. No one wants to talk about it. We pretend it’s not even a thing, Not yet, anyway. Not for a good long while. At least I hope, rIght? That seems like a pretty upside down way of thinking about something not a single living thing on this planet can escape. It’s almost like we think that just talking about it will bring down the hammer. Add in the feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, and denial, the stigma….. It’s really bringing us down. You know, as a people. To be ready for anything, it behooves humanity to be a lot more open to understanding death. I mean, what really does happen when you expire as a person….. or as a dog? What is the natural process, Diary? I just can’t wrap my head around it. How do we talk to the kids, what’s considered “normal” in grieving, and what the hell do I do next? I’m tired of feeling uncomfortable, that butterflies in the tummy feeling that means HIGH ANXIETY. (Yeah, yeah, THAT feeling. You know what I'm talking about.) I’m sick of the topic being so taboo. It's one humongous elephant in the room. Diary, today I am taking my life back. I’m making a commitment to stop avoiding the topic. We’re having the tough talk. And We’re putting it all on the table. Just listen. TRANSITIONAll I wanna know is, are you in? I double dog dare you stop ignoring the big, scary topic of death and be ready to face it like the resourceful, brave, and authentic human you are. Let’s get it out there. Are you afraid to die? Fear that someone that you love is going to die? We're going to talk about planning for death and really taking control of how you personally will die. What happens physically during the death? And what happens afterwards?The Death Diaries Podcast is going to explore different philosophies and talk to people from all walks of life, different backgrounds. What is their story? Reincarnation, heaven versus hell, and multiple philosophies around this and that. We’re going to talk about after death rituals and ceremonies, the celebrations of life, and burials.Let’s go deep on how to talk about death, with adults and kids. While we’re at it, let’s dissect the whole grieving process. There are a ton of feelings that come with it, the isolation, feeling ashamed, the lack of knowledge…..and a lot of that leads to denial. And just what does it mean to live a fruitful, fulfilled life? we're born to die so what are we doing every day to live this fulfilled life that truly makes all of us happy? We'll talk about dying in the digital age and social media. We're going to talk about all that stuff. So if you (or someone you know) has an experience or a story you'd like to share, head on over to thedeathdiariespodcast.com and let us know. We'd love to have you on the show.Again, it's thedeathdiariespodcast.com. OUTROThis has been the first episode of The Death Diaries Podcast with your host Paul King. Subscribe on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts to be notified of future episodes. Let’s talk about death, are you in? https://www.thedeathdiariespodcast.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Meaningful Trainings is the visionary creation of Blair Jennings and Fell Cadwallader. In partnership for more than a quarter century, Blair and Fell weave a story that includes threads from the mundane to the wondrous, the sublime to the grand. A story not very different from many others, this dynamic distillation of history and experience serves as the basis for each unique and effective learning engagement designed by Meaningful Trainings.That which makes us whole -- our commonalities and differences, individually and collectively -- represents the very heart of all Meaningful Trainings services. We believe the power of our story applies in any setting: that is how accumulated experience, perspective and knowledge are put to work within ourselves and with others.W. Blair Jennings, Wells College 1986, B.A. EnglishBlair has engaged in a variety of occupations and endeavors that read less like a resume and more like a mystery in that she admittedly wonders "what next?" and/or "why?". A seeker at heart, Blair has taken the opportunities presented and crafted them into her life's work: Meaningful Trainings.Blair's professional arc encompasses roles as diverse as medical news producer, Montessori educator and YMCA Executive Director. In the spaces between she's been a spouse, mother, daughter, friend, writer and community advocate. Blair is enthused with an energy and creativity that ignites the motivation, creativity, seeking and practicality each Meaningful Training engagement.Fell Cadwallader, Johnson & Wales University 1985, A.A. Culinary ScienceEmerging from the stainless steel classroom of the culinary arts profession, Fell followed a simple rule: be willing to learn.It continues to guide him in his personal and professional endeavors. Fell has always sought out a teacher who has mastered the talent he has wished to improve. Rather than believe that completion of one's training means he is ready to lead, Fell has always placed "ready to learn" first.Over thirty years, Fell has followed a path stretching from Rhode Island to California and back again, choosing to work among those whose drive and imagination create environments that facilitate growth -- in the individual and the institution. His non-traditional path has imbued Fell's learning and experience with perspectives, lessons and stories that now infuse his training and coaching relationships with the sought after spark many seek and hope to bring to their own endeavors.https://meaningfultrainings.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Fratkin is determined to change how serious ill individuals are facing end of life. He is dedicated to the well being of the individuals in his care. Dr. Fratkin begin serving his community in primary care through a community clinic system, he also served as a medical director of a local hospice, and as a leader within his local hospital system began to redesign the end of life experience for seriously ill patients.At a time of great demographic and cultural change in our society, Dr. Fratkin has created ResoultionCare to insure high quality, innovative and soulful care of everyone, everywhere as they approach end of life.ResolutionCare leverages partnerships with existing healthcare providers and payers to provide telehealth applications that enhance greater quality of living, which provides a grater quality of dying. This revolutionary approach to delivering Palliative Care to all communities is built around patient inclusion with a highly qualified Palliative Care Team. ResolutionCare’s team openly shares expertise and mentors individuals so they can receive the care they need where they live and, most importantly, on their own terms.https://www.resolutioncare.comSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/Death-By-Design. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David is the co-founder and editor in chief of The Bucket and has a passion for helping people see the world in a different way – a talent he honed from decades of work as an advertising creative director and copywriter. He has worked at some of the world’s leading agencies including Digitas, Hill Holiday, Arnold Worldwide and Mullen-Lowe on noteworthy brands such as Reebok, New Balance, Stanley Tools, Fidelity, Titleist, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and AARP. With The Bucket, David seeks to achieve the ultimate marketing challenge – the rebranding of death – by getting people to see how embracing mortality can help them live a more fulfilling life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Samuel Hershey is an entrepreneur, stay-at-home parent, and executive coach. He loves to cook, play hockey, travel, try new things, and raise money for great causes. As the founder and CEO of Evim Solutions, he is focused on end of life planning and improving hospice and home care. www.justincaseplanning.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a senior adult, Lesleigh Tolin lost both of her parents. She grew up in a home where alcohol and emotional and physical abuse created ongoing chaos. She knows what it’s like to camouflage emotional pain. As a young girl and a young woman, Lesleigh suffered from the addiction of binge eating. She known the sweetness of recovery from food addiction for several decades. She was honored to give her father a 14 year chip at AA the year before he died.Lesleigh has suffered the loss of dear friends to cancer, to suicide, and to a plane crash. She has weathered the deep emotional loss of beloved pets. She knows the heartache of divorce in early life and the sadness of a final farewell to her late ex-husband. Later in life, Lesleigh is now married to a wonderful man, a former widower and have experienced how loss and change can impact a loving family. Lesleigh knows firsthand the vulnerability of dating a widower, blending families, and creating a flourishing relationship.It is these life experiences, combined with her education, training and deep empathy for human suffering that make her so proud to do this work. Today, Lesleigh has joy in her life and consider it an honor to help others reclaim their heart and their lives through the Grief Recovery Method.https://lesleighjtolin.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.