Podcasts about end of life

Welcome to Classic Skeptic Metaphysicians! We're re-releasing some of our back catalog so that these gems can be re-discovered!This week: Should We Fear Death? An Honest Conversation with Hospice Nurse Julie McFaddenDeath. It's the one certainty we all share...and the one topic most of us avoid like the plague. For years, Will openly admits his biggest fear was dying. Not just the process… but the terrifying possibility of nothingness afterward. And even after years of exploring consciousness, spirituality, and Near-Death Experiences on this show, that old panic still sneaks in from time to time. So this week, we go straight to the source. We sit down with Hospice Nurse Julie McFadden, a former ICU nurse turned hospice advocate who has witnessed hundreds of deaths, and calls the experience not tragic… but beautiful. Yes. Beautiful. Julie pulls back the curtain on what really happens as the body shuts down, what families often misunderstand about the dying process, and why so many people report seeing deceased loved ones in the final weeks of life. We cover:What actually happens to the body in the final months, weeks, and hoursWhy dying does not automatically mean sufferingThe science behind decreased appetite, increased sleep, and metabolic shiftsWhat “visioning” is, and why it happens to so many peopleWhether atheists experience end-of-life visions tooThe truth behind the “6 ounces of the soul” mythWhat it feels like to be in the room when someone takes their final breathWhy education about death reduces fearAnd the ultimate question: Is there life after death?Julie speaks candidly about the mysterious, metaphysical phenomena she's witnessed, and the sacred stillness that seems to fill a room when someone transitions. This conversation may not give you absolute certainty about what lies beyond… But it may radically change how you think about the journey getting there. If you've ever feared the process of dying… If you've ever sat beside a loved one and wondered if they were suffering… Or if you're simply curious about what really happens when we take our last breath… This episode might bring you more peace than you expect.Why This Episode Matters We spend so much time preparing for life. Almost none preparing for death. And yet, according to someone who sees it daily, the body knows exactly what to do. The real fear may not be death itself…But our misunderstanding of it. Listen in. You may walk away feeling lighter.The Skeptic Metaphysicians is a spiritual awakening podcast for open-minded thinkers who refuse to check their critical thinking at the door. Each episode explores consciousness expansion, enlightenment, soul purpose, and soul growth through honest, grounded conversation with leading voices in metaphysics, psychic phenomenon, quantum healing, and beyond. We dive deep into spiritual awakening, ascension, alignment, and the awakening process without the dogma. From mediumship and spirit guides to Arcturian contact, astrology, and the subconscious mind, we explore it all with curiosity, humor, and zero guru worship. Whether you're in the middle of your own awakening, questioning reality, or just spiritually curious, this is the podcast for seekers and skeptics alike.Subscribe, Rate & Review!If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way!Connect with Us: 

Philippe Pinel remarked in 1800 that "It is an art of no little importance to administer medicines properly, but it is an art of much greater and more difficult acquisition to know when to suspend or altogether to omit them." This insight remains profoundly relevant today, especially in hospice care, where inappropriate prescribing is a common issue. Studies show that 20%–70% of hospice patients receive at least one unnecessary medication near the end of life, including drugs like antihypertensives, statins, and vitamins. In this episode of the GeriPal Podcast, we tackle the pressing topic of deprescribing at the end of life with expert guests Jennifer Tjia, Jon Furuno, and Simon Mooijaart. The conversation focuses on identifying medications that should almost always be discontinued—such as statins, osteoporosis meds, finasteride, and vitamins, which offer minimal benefit for patients with limited life expectancy. We also delve into more nuanced cases, such as antithrombotics, which present complex decisions that challenge clinicians, particularly when prognosis spans the many weeks to months range. Finally, we explore practical strategies for engaging patients and families in deprescribing conversations. Our guests highlight tools such as the FRAME mnemonic (Focus on the goals of care, Review current medications, Assess each medication's risk/benefit, Minimize the medication burden, and Evaluate regularly) and the Goal Concurrent Prescribing tool, which helps ensure medication decisions align with patients' values and end-of-life priorities. By: Eric Widera Other resources discussed in the podcast Prevalence and Factors Associated With Receiving a Prescription for Antithrombotic Therapy on Hospice Admission," JAGS. 2025 Discontinuation of Anticoagulants and Occurrence of Bleeding and Thromboembolic Events in Vitamin K Antagonist Users with a Life-limiting Disease. 2025 Effects of the discontinuation of antihypertensive treatment on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia (DANTON): a multicentre, open-label, blinded-outcome, randomised controlled trial. 2024 Perspectives on deprescribing in palliative care. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology. 2023 Developing a decision support tool for the continuation or deprescribing of antithrombotic therapy in patients receiving end-of-life care: Results of a European Delphi study. Thrombosis Research. 2025 Human-Centered Design Development and Acceptability Testing of a Goal Concordant Prescribing Program in Hospice. JPM 2025 Reduction of Antihypertensive Treatment in Nursing Home Residents. NEJM 2025  

Jared's Athena: The Goddess of Thunder Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/-jtl/athena-the-goddess-of-thunder-second-chance?ref=project_build Gray's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NfSPGZ5OFcek6Baw3iQQw SuS Records: https://www.youtube.com/@SusRecordsCEO Jared's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ComicsLeague Jared's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3jv6I2edZ8lpc02gJEHw3e?si=cb5f48a6f8d84add Stork's Podcast: https://besottedgeek.podbean.com/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeirdScienceComics This Week's Patreon-Exclusive Spotlight Show is Titans #32 & Wonder Woman #30 Listen to the Spotlight Podcast by signing up to our Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/weirdscience   0:00:00 - Intro 0:12:27 - Superman Unlimited #10 0:47:28 - End of Life #1 1:33:23 - Nightwing #135 2:03:06 - Next Weeks Books   FOLLOW WEIRD SCIENCE COMICS Twitter:  https://twitter.com/WeirdScienceDC  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/weirdscience DC Comics Review Site: https://bit.ly/WeirdScienceDC Marvel Review Site: https://bit.ly/WeirdScienceMarvel   SUBSCRIBE TO WEIRD SCIENCE COMIC PODCASTS:  DC Comics Podcast iTunes - https://apple.co/47jNeme Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2XzDALI Stitcher - https://bit.ly/45XPtKS   Marvel Comics Podcast iTunes - https://apple.co/3u1xxSh Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3QJFAfe Pandora - https://bit.ly/3Qq5cwd YT - https://bit.ly/WeirdSciencePodcasts

You might've heard of doulas — usually women who support other women in getting through the process of childbirth. But there are also doulas whose work focuses on the opposite end of our lifespans. They're called death or end-of-life doulas. We'll talk with two of them about their work. Darnell Lamont Walker is based in Georgia and Michigan; his new book is Never Can Say Goodbye: The Life of a Death Doula and the Art of a Peaceful End. Kim Burgess was a nurse practitioner before becoming nn end-of-life doula. She's with Comforting Transitions in O'Fallon, Illinois.

What if you could choose the time, place, and company for your final moments—ensuring a peaceful, dignified death on your own terms? Dr. Robert L. Fine, Director, Office of Clinical Ethics and Palliative Care, Baylor Scott & White Health, unpacks the complex realities of medical aid in dying (MAID), hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life decision-making. Dr. Fine sheds light on how individuals can navigate end-of-life decisions with dignity, legal clarity, and compassion while addressing common misconceptions and ethical challenges surrounding MAID. Join Dr. Fine and host Brian Levy as they explore a topic that hits close to home for so many, including a few personal examples from Dr. Fine's illustrious career.

Profound NDE like Experience | Spiritual & End of Life Experiences

Advocates warn the removal of requirements for assisted suicide would open Pandora's box. The ACT Party is pushing for changes to its End of Life Choice Act. Proposed amendments include removing the six-month prognosis requirement and adopting all 25 recommendations for a Health Ministry review. Ethos Alliance chief executive Alex Penk says it would open up euthanasia as an option to more long-term conditions and disabilities. "If you're a doctor at the moment, for example, who says I can make my peace with euthanasia for end-stage cancer, say - they might start to feel quite differently about this when you start talking about diabetes, frailty, renal failure..." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP is looking to improve and extend the End of Life Choice Act. Todd Stephenson has proposed a member's bill that would incorporate all 25 of the recommendations made by the Ministry of Health in their review of the Act. He wants to restore the original intent of David Seymour's earlier bill, addressing the “overly restrictive” six-month prognosis requirement. Stephenson told Kerre Woodham some elements of the Act are working really well, but there are others, such as the six-month requirement, that aren't working and aren't taking into account some people's circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Act MP Todd Stephenson has been looking to improve and extend the End of Life Bill since around August of last year. His new bill, for which he's seeking support across the House or has his fingers crossed it'll be drawn from the ballot, would incorporate every single recommendation made by the Ministry of Health's review into the End of Life Choice Act. He wants to restore the original intent of David Seymour's earlier member's bill by addressing what he calls the overly restrictive six-month prognosis requirement. So along with the recommendations, he wants to see the End of Life Bill extended. He says the narrow threshold has excluded people with terminal diagnoses who are suffering intolerably despite being in an irreversible decline. They are not going to get better. It's just going to take them a very long time to die. His new and improved bill would replace the arbitrary cutoff at six months with a test that reflects what he calls medical reality, recognising that death doesn't always follow a calendar. The review into the Act, which was released at the end of 2024 found that the Act was working pretty much as it was intended. More than 2,400 people had requested an assisted death at the time of the review. More than 970 had received an assisted death since the Act came into force on the 7th of November in 2021. There were some minor tweaks that could be made and those would be incorporated into Todd Stephenson's bill, but overall, the review found that the bill was achieving its primary purpose. However, a report out today from Alex Penk, who is the CEO of Ethos, a registered charity that offers advice, advocacy and education to promote the rights of conscience, religion and belief, says the law already goes too far and certainly does not need to be extended. The report, Penk's report, says assisted dying is already highly controversial. He says most doctors don't want to be involved. I can certainly believe that some doctors would not want to be involved, but I'd be interested to know if that is in fact correct. There would be a range of views across the medical profession when it comes to assisted dying, just as there is in the general population. I can understand some who would not want a bar of it and some who would be happy and see it as a as a generous service. Penk says the bill would introduce euthanasia for long term conditions and disabilities like chronic heart conditions, frailty, diabetes, renal failure, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease. He says this would force doctors and care facilities into more conscience conflicts. He says doctors have to use ethical judgment all the time, but the bill sends a message they're just supposed to do what the State tells them and there'll be a real risk it'll force ethically minded people out of medicine. I cannot see it as the State dictating. How is the State dictating? The State has put a framework in place to ensure that it's only the person who wants assisted dying who can make that request. They have to go through hoops before they can be granted that request. It's not automatic. There are really strict criteria and doctors don't have to administer end of life injections or however it is they do it – I'm assuming it's injections. They don't have to perform the act that would take a life. They can say, No, I don't believe in it. I would rather save a life than end it. Not for me. I'll give you the name of a doctor who does believe in it." So how is the State dictating? It's not telling doctors they must kill their patients. It's not telling people they must die if they have a long-term degenerative disease. As far as I'm aware, it's about a person's choice. And on the ethics side of thing, why is it ethical to keep a person alive when they don't want to be, but they don't fit that six-month criteria? Alex Penk is perfectly within his rights to choose not to take an early exit. Doctors are perfectly within their rights to say they'd rather save lives than end them. And I want to continue to have the right and have it improved to be able to call it quits when there is no longer any value for me to be here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thy O' Donnell PhD study about end-of-life and palliative care for TGD+ people email thy.odonell@anu.edu.au

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Sameet Kumar, a clinical psychologist and researcher, for a wide ranging conversation on how we relate to death, grief and love- both individually and collectively.We explore Dr. Kumar's work on a clinical study using psilocybin with late-stage cancer patients, and what this research reveals about fear, meaning, and psychological suffering at the end of life. We also discuss, grieving mindfully, the difference between individual and collective grief, how modern society sequesters death away from our lives and the cost of that separation.This discussion is not about quick fixes or spiritual platitudes but an honest examination of how human beings, connect, suffer and grow from loss.

Welcome to the Hot Topics podcast from NB Medical with Dr Neal Tucker.Three new pieces of research to talk about in today's podcast. First, in the NEJM - could patients stop anti-coagulation after ablation for AF? Conventional practice says no. Does this paper change that?Second, in JAMA - can spinal manipulation, or clinician-guided self-management, or both help with low back pain? This paper is a good crack.Finally, in the BJGP - what do our patients think about advance care planning? Should we be talking about this more, and, if so, in whom and how?ReferencesNEJM Anti-coags after ablation in AFNEJM EditorialJAMA Low back painBJGP Advance care planningwww.nbmedical.com/podcast

Nick is gone but the crew discusses how we view therapy in the age of ICE, the effect of an elevated heart rate on anxiety, and dealing with the end of life of ones father. Check out Nick's "Fitness Challenge": https://www.mentalfitpersonaltraining.com/podtherapy Join our patreon!Listen ad-free, get the show a day early and enjoy the pre-show hang out on the same app you're using RIGHT NOW at www.Patreon.com/Therapy where you can also access our vast library of deep dives, interviews, skill shares, reviews and rants as well as our live discord chat!If you are an Apple user please rate us!If you are a Spotify user, please rate us!Submit a question to the show!Help us reach #1 on Goodpods!Interested in Nick's mental health approach to fitness? Check out www.MentalFitPersonalTraining.comCheck out Dr. Jim's book "Dadvice: 50 Fatherly Life Lessons" at www.DadviceBook.comGrab some swag at our store, www.PodTherapyBaitShop.comPlay Jim's Neurotic Bingo at home while you listen to the show, or don't, I'm not your supervisor.Submit questions to:www.PodTherapy.netPodTherapyGuys@gmail.comFollow us on Social Media:FacebookInstagramTwitterResources:Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1-800-273-8255.Veterans Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255.Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline - (1-800-662-HELP (4357)OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline - 1 (800) 273-TALKU.S. Mental Health Resources Hotline - 211

Mark Greenberg, Executive Director of End of Life California, and Grant Affleck, a volunteer for the organization, discuss how the organization supports end-of-life choices, including medical aid in dying.  Currently, 11 states, including California, have legal end-of-life options. Greenberg and Affleck talk about the end of life eligibility requirements and processes.About Spotlight and Cloudcast Media  "Spotlight On The Community" is the longest running community podcast in the country, continuously hosted by Drew Schlosberg for 20 years.  "Spotlight" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting.   About Mission Fed Credit Union  A community champion for over 60 years, Mission Fed Credit Union with over $6 billion in member assets, is the Sponsor of Spotlight On The Community, helping to curate connectivity, collaboration, and catalytic conversations.  For more information on the many services for San Diego residents, be sure to visit them at https://www.missionfed.com/

174  Facing the Unspoken: Embracing End of Life Conversations  In this episode of 'Hospice Explained,' host Marie Betcher RN , a former hospice nurse with a long nursing experience, emphasizes the significance of addressing end-of-life issues early. She discusses the common problem of late referrals to palliative and hospice care and highlights the need for healthcare providers to facilitate honest, fact-based conversations with patients. This approach allows patients to make informed choices, spend quality time with loved ones, and manage their affairs properly. Marie encourages providers to make these discussions a cooperative dialogue, providing resources and advice to help patients prepare for the end of life. She also invites listeners to share their stories and questions. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 00:28 Meet Your Host: Marie Betcher RN 00:41 Addressing Late Referrals in Hospice Care 01:08 The Importance of dificult Conversations 01:47 Training Gaps in Medical Education 02:09 Empowering Patients with Honest Conversations 02:24 Practical Steps for End-of-Life Planning 03:42 The Role of Healthcare Providers 04:21 Creating a Dialogue, Not a Debate 05:04 Encouraging Hospice Consideration 05:46 Conclusion and Contact Information   If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link   https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice  Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.  Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the  cloud9caresystem.com,  When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119) When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You) Marie's Contact Marie@HospiceExplained.com www.HospiceExplained.com   Finding a Hospice Agency 1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency, 2. choose Find provider 3. Choose Hospice 4. then add your zip code This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

Bago bawian ng buhay, sumigaw siya ng, “Panginoon, huwag mo po silang pananagutin sa kasalanang ito!'” (Mga Gawa 7:60).  May pahabol siyang end-of-life request! Bakit ang last thoughts niya ay ang ihingi ng tawad sa Diyos ang mga taong nambato sa kanya? All Rights Reserved, CBN Asia Inc.https://www.cbnasia.com/giveSupport the show

A PwC survey of over 4,400 CEOs across 105 countries found that 56% report artificial intelligence has not delivered meaningful revenue growth or cost savings in the past year. Only one in eight organizations saw both benefits. The core issue, as highlighted by Dave Sobel, lies in poor integration—largely due to data quality challenges and legacy systems—leaving many businesses stuck in what PwC terms “experimentation purgatory.” Despite significant investment, AI infrastructure is often failing to produce measurable returns.This lack of operational discipline is mirrored by the rising incident of AI bots, which now account for 1 out of every 50 website visits, a sixfold increase from earlier reports. AI is successfully extracting value from enterprise infrastructure through sophisticated scraping, as companies pay for tools that return little and simultaneously fund infrastructure serving AI bots. The operational cost and exposure from bot traffic and ineffective AI tool adoption highlight the disconnect between hype and practical benefit.Adjacent stories expand on the governance gap and evolving expectations around risk. The U.S. and China declined to sign a non-binding declaration on military AI, underlining global regulatory fragmentation. In contrast, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a binding directive for federal civilian agencies to remove unsupported devices within a year, signaling substantial operational risk from end-of-life technology. These regulatory movements are expected to drive similar risk accountability into the private sector, primarily through insurance requirements.For MSPs and IT service providers, the takeaway is not to chase AI-powered offerings but to prioritize readiness, control, and cost accountability. Vendor partner programs (Cisco and 1Password) reward lifecycle management and customer retention, not AI sales. The practical competitive advantage is operational honesty—delivering realistic assessments, proactive client interactions, and transparent guidance. Automation should fund genuine client relationship activities, not replace them. The focus should remain on safeguarding operational integrity, controlling technology risk, and building customer success capability.Four things to know today:00:00 PwC Survey Finds Most Business Leaders Still Waiting for AI Payoff05:00 Federal Agencies Ordered to Eliminate End-of-Life Devices Over Cyber Threats08:06 Cisco and 1Password Launch Partner Programs Focused on Customer Success10:52 Harvard Business Review Says Human Touch Remains Critical Advantage Over AIThis is the Business of Tech.   Supported by:  Small Biz Thought Community 

Send us a textIn Part Two of Protecting Patients at the End of Life: Why CON Still Matters, host Chris Comeaux continues the conversation with two of the nation's most respected hospice policy leaders—Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.This episode moves beyond regulatory theory and into the real-world patient and family experience—especially in states without hospice Certificate of Need (CON) laws. Drawing on decades of leadership, personal stories of loved ones in hospice, and data-informed insights, Paul and Tim explore what families actually face when hospice markets are oversaturated, fragmented, or poorly regulated.The conversation examines how too many choices can overwhelm families, how small, unsustainable hospice programs can dilute quality, and how fraud and inappropriate enrollments disproportionately affect vulnerable populations—often stripping patients of access to Medicare benefits when they need them most.Listeners also gain a deeper understanding of how Florida and North Carolina use CON to balance:Access to hospice careProgram sustainability and scaleRural and underserved community coverageInpatient hospice availabilityProtection against bad actorsThe episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what principles—not politics—should guide states that are reconsidering or redesigning hospice CON laws today.This is an essential conversation for healthcare leaders, policymakers, hospice executives, board members, and anyone committed to protecting quality end-of-life care.Guest:Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care AssociationTim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North CarolinaHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSThe Anatomy of Leadership podcast explores the art and science of leadership through candid, insightful conversations with thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers from a variety of industries. Hosted by Chris Comeaux, each episode dives into the mindsets, habits, and strategies that empower leaders to thrive in complex, fast-changing environments. With topics ranging from organizational culture and emotional intelligence to navigating disruption and inspiring teams, the show blends real-world stories with practical takeaways. The goal is simple yet ambitious: to equip leaders at every level with the tools, perspectives, and inspiration they need to lead with vision, empathy, and impact. https://www.teleioscn.org/anatomy-of-leadership

In Part Two of Protecting Patients at the End of Life: Why CON Still Matters, host Chris Comeaux continues the conversation with two of the nation's most respected hospice policy leaders—Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.This episode moves beyond regulatory theory and into the real-world patient and family experience—especially in states without hospice Certificate of Need (CON) laws. Drawing on decades of leadership, personal stories of loved ones in hospice, and data-informed insights, Paul and Tim explore what families actually face when hospice markets are oversaturated, fragmented, or poorly regulated.The conversation examines how too many choices can overwhelm families, how small, unsustainable hospice programs can dilute quality, and how fraud and inappropriate enrollments disproportionately affect vulnerable populations—often stripping patients of access to Medicare benefits when they need them most.Listeners also gain a deeper understanding of how Florida and North Carolina use CON to balance:Access to hospice careProgram sustainability and scaleRural and underserved community coverageInpatient hospice availabilityProtection against bad actorsThe episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what principles—not politics—should guide states that are reconsidering or redesigning hospice CON laws today.This is an essential conversation for healthcare leaders, policymakers, hospice executives, board members, and anyone committed to protecting quality end-of-life care.Guest:Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care AssociationTim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North CarolinaHost:Chris Comeaux, President / CEO of TELEIOSTeleios Collaborative Network / https://www.teleioscn.org/tcntalkspodcast

Send us a textCertificate of Need (CON) laws are among the most debated—and misunderstood—regulatory frameworks in healthcare. In this timely Part One conversation, host Chris Comeaux is joined by two of the most respected voices in hospice policy and advocacy: Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.Together, they unpack why CON laws were originally created, what problems they were designed to solve, and why hospice continues to raise unique concerns that set it apart from other healthcare services. Drawing on decades of leadership and real-world experience, Paul and Tim explain why hospice does not function like a traditional free market—highlighting fixed reimbursement rates, demographic-driven demand, and the responsibility to serve entire communities, including rural and complex patient populations.This episode explores what actually happens in states without hospice CON: oversaturation in urban markets, reduced access in rural areas, fragmented care, and increased vulnerability to fraud and abuse. The discussion challenges common assumptions about competition and access, using data, policy insight, and firsthand examples to illustrate the unintended consequences of deregulation.Part One lays the foundation for a deeper conversation about quality, equity, and patient protection at the end of life—and why thoughtful oversight still matters in preserving the integrity of the hospice benefit.

Protecting Patients at the End of Life: Why CON Still Matters / Part ONECertificate of Need (CON) laws are among the most debated—and misunderstood—regulatory frameworks in healthcare. In this timely Part One conversation, host Chris Comeaux is joined by two of the most respected voices in hospice policy and advocacy: Paul A. Ledford, President & CEO of the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association, and Tim Rogers, President & CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina.Together, they unpack why CON laws were originally created, what problems they were designed to solve, and why hospice continues to raise unique concerns that set it apart from other healthcare services. Drawing on decades of leadership and real-world experience, Paul and Tim explain why hospice does not function like a traditional free market—highlighting fixed reimbursement rates, demographic-driven demand, and the responsibility to serve entire communities, including rural and complex patient populations.This episode explores what actually happens in states without hospice CON: oversaturation in urban markets, reduced access in rural areas, fragmented care, and increased vulnerability to fraud and abuse. The discussion challenges common assumptions about competition and access, using data, policy insight, and firsthand examples to illustrate the unintended consequences of deregulation.Part One lays the foundation for a deeper conversation about quality, equity, and patient protection at the end of life—and why thoughtful oversight still matters in preserving the integrity of the hospice benefit.

Subscribers can dive into exclusive, extended conversations from this podcast! To join the adventure, head to BumpInTheRoad.Substack.com. Fred Mirachi's world is one of advanced directives and medical ethics. As an experienced emergency physician he shares his harrowing experiences during his residency, where he faced critical decisions that not only impacted his patients' lives but also shaped his perspective on the healthcare system. What if the patient didn't want to be resuscitated? What if he or she does? What if the family wants no end of life measures taken, but the patient wants to live? The questions and motivations can be complex. How does a physician navigate such mudded waters? Following the patients' wishes is paramount, Dr. Mirachi says. Better communication between patients and healthcare providers is needed. And Fred has the solution to this. At Mideo Health, Dr. Mirachi is at the forefront of incorporating technology into advanced care planning. He is introducing patient-to-clinician video tools, which allow patients to express their treatment preferences in a more personal and clear manner. This technology not only enhances communication but also ensures that patients' wishes are accurately interpreted, reducing the risk of end of life medical errors. Fred's hope is for a shift towards a more patient-centered approach, where technology and human connection work hand in hand to improve patient outcomes. Using QR codes, Mideo Health allows your medical directive to be retrieved in seconds. Doctors can see and hear your wishes immediately, eliminating lost paperwork and ambiguity. And it's covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Fred is pushing for a healthcare system that truly respects and prioritizes patient autonomy. This is a fascinating story of how one doctor's experience is changing the medical system for all of us. It's an Award Winning, Amazon best selling book! What they're saying: "This is a beautiful book about life, its imperfections, its challenges, and its joys. It is a book of hope and wisdom for all of us facing a bump in the road." –Pragito Dove "Pat has woven together beautiful stories of life setbacks that have been transformed into spiritual growth. This book is a gift and a must-read for souls experiencing pain and yearning for growth." –Gary Hensel Learn more at BumpInTheRoad.us Follow Bump on: ➡️ Twitter ➡️ Facebook ➡️ Substack ➡️ Instagram ➡️ YouTube

In this compelling episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, host Dana Irvine connects with Erica Baccus, an empowered aging woman and author who shares her deeply personal journey through her husband's Alzheimer's diagnosis and their courageous end-of-life decisions. Exploring the emotional challenges of dementia, assisted suicide, and grief, Erica sheds light on the complexities of honoring personal wishes while navigating family support and mental health.This conversation offers valuable insights into menopause support for women experiencing major life transitions and emphasizes the importance of open discussions around end-of-life options. Listeners will discover how Erica's story encourages empowered aging women to face difficult topics with courage and grace.LEARN MORE ONLINE: EricaBaccus.comTakeaways*Erica's husband, John, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2020.*They had open discussions about end-of-life wishes throughout their marriage.*John expressed a desire for assisted suicide to avoid suffering.*Erica sought therapy to cope with her feelings of terror and grief.*The couple explored assisted suicide options in Switzerland.*John's decision was made with mental clarity and peace.*Family support played a crucial role in their journey.*Erica found healing through writing about her experiences.*The conversation encourages discussing end-of-life options openly.*Erica's book aims to help others navigate similar situations.Chapters00:00 Introduction to a Journey of Love and Loss02:32 Facing Alzheimer's: A Personal Story05:07 The Decision for Assisted Suicide07:41 Navigating the Process of Dying10:30 The Emotional Toll of Choice12:55 Reflections on Life and Death15:21 The Role of Family Support17:51 Finding Peace in the Process20:24 The Healing Power of Writing23:16 Encouraging Conversations About End-of-Life Choices

Send us a textCheck us out at:  https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/Get access to 360 FREE CISSP Questions:  https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/offers/dzHKVcDB/checkoutGet access to my FREE CISSP Self-Study Essentials Videos:  https://www.cisspcybertraining.com/offers/KzBKKouvPodcast Link(s): https://www.securityweek.com/cyber-insights-2026-api-security/Agentic AI doesn't just call your APIs; it creates them, connects them, and expands your attack surface faster than most teams can map it. We open with a frank look at autonomous agents, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and why weak authentication, misconfigurations, and shadow APIs are still the easiest doors to pry open. Then we get tactical: continuous discovery, behavioral analytics, context-driven access, and the governance you need to monitor what AI spins up and revoke what shouldn't exist.From there, we shift to the CISSP core: end of life, end of support, and the asset retention practices that keep you compliant and resilient. We define the terms, share real-world pitfalls, and outline practical sunsetting plans that include data migration, isolation when necessary, and rock-solid disposal. Documentation is the quiet hero—config backups, change logs, destruction certificates, and retention schedules shaped with legal and compliance. Over-retention inflates breach impact and cost; under-retention invites fines and operational gaps. We walk through legal holds, immutable backups, and the cost conversations that stop data hoarding.By the end, you'll have a clear blueprint: integrate lifecycle management into procurement, track vendor notices, consider extended or third-party support when needed, and use compensating controls for what must linger. Train your teams, audit your process, and map ownership so you can prove what you keep, why you keep it, and when you delete it. If you're ready to tighten API security and retire legacy systems without breaking the business, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What legacy system will you decommission first?Gain exclusive access to 360 FREE CISSP Practice Questions at FreeCISSPQuestions.com and have them delivered directly to your inbox! Don't miss this valuable opportunity to strengthen your CISSP exam preparation and boost your chances of certification success. Join now and start your journey toward CISSP mastery today!

What do you do when a terminal illness joins your family? Do you know what a Doula is and how they can help you?Join me, Nancy Smith, for a discussion with Rev Yvonne Andrews, a therapist and Doula practitioner. She "helps people clarify their intentions and meet their goals in a way that is non-judgmental, supportive and directional." Yvonne offers comprehensive training in end-of-life care and also offers a Death Doula Certification Course.(Usually) Live Tuesdays at 7 pm ET on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/NancyofAngelscapes⁠ Join us and post comments and questions!

Marni Blank is an “after-loss professional.” What does that mean? Imagine someone with a legal background, lived experience of loss, a steady head for details, and the ability to step in and quarterback the team when someone in your life has died. That's what an after-loss professional can be. I find this work both fascinating and profoundly useful. Tune in this week to hear what Marni has to say about what actually needs to happen after a death – and if you'd like a clear, step-by-step guide, you can also download my free e-book on bestlifebestdeath.com, When Someone Dies… What Do I Need to Know?For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠Follow us on our social channels to receive pertinent and helpful resources on death, grieving, and more at:Facebook: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠

Join The Full Nerd gang as they talk about the latest PC building news. In this episode the gang talks about the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti messaging and potificates on whether those GPUs are truly end of life, and the reports of dead X3D CPUs. And of course we answer questions live. Asus denial: https://www.pcworld.com/article/3035212/asus-denies-that-its-canceling-the-rtx-5070-or-rtx-5060-ti.html Check out the audio version of the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts and more so you can listen on the go, and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the latest live episode here on YouTube! Join the PC related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a Follow the crew on X and Bluesky: @AdamPMurray @BradChacos @MorphingBall @WillSmith

Are Men and Veterans Being Left Alone in Grief and at the End of Life? Or Are We Asking Them to Carry Their Pain in Silence? There is a quiet truth in end-of-life care that is rarely spoken about: many men—and especially veterans—carry grief, trauma, and emotional pain without support. In this episode of Ask a Death Doula, Suzanne O'Brien, RN—founder of Doulagivers Institute—is joined by end-of-life doula Adam Daviau for an honest, compassionate conversation about grief, presence, and dignity at the end of life.  

Understanding the Role of End-of-Life Doulas with Peter M. Abraham RN In this episode of Hospice Explained, host Marie Betcher RN is joined by returning guest Peter Abraham, a registered nurse and certified End-of-Life Doula. Peter discusses his journey and the nature of working as an end-of-life doula, highlighting the importance of this role in providing non-medical support to patients and families during the dying process. He also touches on the challenges of operating in an unregulated industry and shares insights from his work on advanced care planning. Marie and Peter discuss the distinctions between the roles of nurses and doulas, and Peter explains how he integrates his nursing skills with his doula work. The episode also offers guidance on how to choose a qualified doula and the importance of thorough research. Additionally, Peter discusses his advanced care planning services and resources available through his website, Compassion Crossing. 00:00 Introduction to Hospice Explained 00:41 Meet Peter Abraham: A Dedicated Nurse 01:53 Understanding the Role of a Death Doula 02:37 Challenges and Ethics in the Doula Industry 04:36 Differentiating Between Doula and Nursing Roles 12:04 Advanced Care Planning: A Doula's Perspective 18:05 Navigating the Doula Profession 21:43 Peter Abraham's Publications and Future Plans 23:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://compassioncrossing.info/     If you want to help, you can donate to help support Hospice Explained at the Buy me a Coffee link   https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Hospice  Hospice Explained Affiliates & Contact Information Buying from these Affilite links will help support this Podcast.  Maire introduces a partnership with Suzanne Mayer RN inventor of the  cloud9caresystem.com,  When patients remain in the same position for extended periods, they are at high risk of developing pressure injuries, commonly known as bedsores. One of the biggest challenges caregivers face is the tendency for pillows and repositioning inserts to easily dislodge during care.(Suzanne is a former guest on Episode #119) When you order with Cloud 9 care system, please tell them you heard about them from Hospice Explained.(Thank You)   Marie's Contact Marie@HospiceExplained.com www.HospiceExplained.com   Finding a Hospice Agency 1. You can use Medicare.gov to help find a hospice agency, 2. choose Find provider 3. Choose Hospice 4. then add your zip code This should be a list of Hospice Agencies local to you or your loved one.

My guest this week will nudge you to think about what you've already taken care of – and what's still unfinished – when it comes to end-of-life planning. Marni Blank and I dive into some of the most fascinating (and often avoided) questions: What gets in the way of getting things done? What superstitions keep us from filling out the paperwork? Does talking about death somehow invite it in? (Spoiler: no.) Why is having your paperwork in order actually a profound gift to the people you love? And perhaps most importantly, when it comes to something you can do today: what are the “Big 3 Passwords” that will make life and death a lot easier if they have been shared?For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠Follow us on our social channels to receive pertinent and helpful resources on death, grieving, and more at:Facebook: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠

Aidan Noone speaks with Sister of Mercy and palliative care social worker Deirdre McKenna about her book When There Are Few Words. The conversation explores common questions and fears around dying, caregiving, difficult conversations, and bereavement, highlighting the importance of honesty, presence, faith, and gentle preparation at the end of life. L'articolo When There Are Few Words – Sr. Deirdre McKenna on Facing End-of-Life with Compassion and Faith proviene da Radio Maria.

Is End-of-Life Pain Really Being Managed? Or Are Families Being Asked to Do the Impossible Without Training? There is a quiet truth in end-of-life care that many families discover too late: pain is often misunderstood, mismanaged, or missed entirely. In this episode of Ask a Death Doula, Suzanne O'Brien, RN—founder of Doulagivers Institute—speaks with honesty, clarity, and deep compassion about pain management at the end of life and what family caregivers truly need to know. This is not about blame. It is about education, empowerment, and dignity.  Join the upcoming FREE Doulagivers Level 1 End of Life Doula and Family Caregiver Training Webinar here  Register to join us for FREE: THE GOOD DEATH BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: 12 MONTH FREE DEATH AND DYING COURSE  Or visit our website here!  GET THE GOOD DEATH BOOK Here      Please Share!   Know someone who is a caregiver, healthcare worker, or spiritual seeker? Share this episode and invite them to join this sacred and supportive experience.    Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Podcasts • YouTube       JOIN MY FREE TRAINING AND MEMBERSHIP SITE   This is a community-supported group hosted by Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, founder of the International Doulagivers Institute for training those who want to be professional End of Life Doulas, Doulagiver Practitioners and for anyone wanting more EOL education Join Here: 4491664174178077   ⚑ SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL ⚑ If you want to do great things you need to have a great environment. Create the life you want by surrounding yourself with positivity and watching daily.  Click here to subscribe!   ツ  CONNECT WITH ME  ツ Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with me on different social platforms too: Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Podcast  

Listen to JCO's Art of Oncology article, "The Quiet Work of Clarity" by Dr. Henry Bair, who is an ophthalmology resident physician at Wills Eye Hospital. The article is followed by an interview with Bair and host Dr. Mikkael Sekeres. Dr. Bair explores how vision care can honor end-of-life goals and helps a patient with failing sight write to his children. TRANSCRIPT Narrator: The Quiet Work of Clarity, Henry, Bair, MD  Mikkael Sekeres: Welcome back to JCO's Cancer Stories: The Art of Oncology. This ASCO podcast features intimate narratives and perspectives from authors exploring their experiences in oncology. I'm your host, Mikkael Sekeres. I'm professor of medicine and Chief of the Division of Hematology at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami. What a pleasure it is to have joining us today Dr. Henry Bair, an ophthalmology resident physician at Wills Eye Hospital, to discuss his Journal of Clinical Oncology Art of Oncology article, "Quiet Work of Clarity". At the time of this recording, our guest has no disclosures. Dr. Bair and I have agreed to call each other by first names. Henry, thank you for contributing to the Journal of Clinical Oncology and for joining us to discuss your article. Henry Bair: Thank you very much for having me. Mikkael Sekeres: I love starting off by getting a little bit of background about our guests. I know a little bit about you, but I'm not sure all of our listeners do. Can you tell us about yourself and how you reached this stage of your training? Henry Bair: Sure thing. Happy to start there. I was born and raised in Taiwan. I came to the United States when I was 18 for college. I was at Rice University. I was drawn to it because the Texas Medical Center was right over there, but the university had a small liberal arts feel and the university did not box me into any specific discipline. I went there and we didn't have to declare anything and we could take any class from any school over there. And I actually fell in love with medieval studies of all things. I just came upon it in one of the survey courses and I went deeper and deeper and deeper and eventually wrote my thesis on medieval Irish manuscripts. That was really interesting. At the same time I was doing some clinical work and I realized that medicine might be a way to combine my interest in storytelling and the humanities with making a tangible difference in people's lives. Then I was in medical school at Stanford University, which was, in a similar way, I found a place that really let me explore what it meant to be a physician because the medical school let me take classes from all across the university: so the law school, the school of humanities, school of engineering, the business school. I got a chance to do a little bit of a lot of different things to try to figure out what I actually wanted to do with life. And I spent a lot of time actually doing a little bit of palliative care, a little bit of oncology, some medical education, some medical humanities. I had a lot of time thinking about, "Okay, what kind of specialty do I want to do?" I found myself really enjoying procedural specialties, but also really liking the kinds of patient interactions and conversations I had in palliative care and oncology, and eventually found ophthalmology, interestingly. I often have to remind myself or explain myself how those two connect. And to me, the way they connect is that ophthalmology lets me do very fascinating, intellectually challenging things in terms of working with my hands, very rewarding surgical procedural work. But at the same time, the conversations that I get to have with patients about seeing well, I saw so many parallels between that and living well. To me it was so much about quality of life. And that's how I knew that ophthalmology was the right move for me. And so now I'm an ophthalmology resident. Mikkael Sekeres: Fascinating. When I was an undergrad, the person who had the most influence on me was an English professor who was also a medievalist. There must be something about the personality and pouring over these old texts and trying to read things in Middle English that appeals to some character trait in those of us who eventually become physicians. I also remember when I was in medical school, we could also take classes throughout the university. So I wound up taking some writing classes with undergrads and with graduate students. It adds to this holistic education that we bring to medicine because it's not all about the science, is it? Henry Bair: Yeah, it's also different ways of thinking and seeing the world and just hearing people's different stories. It's the people I've met in a lot of those different settings outside of medical school that I think really enhanced my formative years in medical education. Mikkael Sekeres: You certainly bring it all together in this essay, which was just lovely. And I wonder if we could dive into some of the aspects of this essay. I'm dying to know, when you went to see this man, the main character of your essay, did you have any idea what the consult would be about? Henry Bair: No. So when we're in the hospital and as the ophthalmology resident on consult, we get notifications. These pop up whenever a primary team puts in a consult and it's usually fairly vague. It's usually no more than "blurry vision, please evaluate," "eye pain, please evaluate." As an ophthalmologist, getting a consult for blurry vision is kind of like a cardiologist getting consulted for chest pain. You're like, "Okay, but it could be something, it could be nothing, it could be something terrifying, it could be dry eyes, or it could be end-stage glaucoma, or it could be, who knows?" You really genuinely never know what you're getting yourself into until you actually go in there and talk to the patient, which can be frustrating, but also kind of an interesting experience. Mikkael Sekeres: I worry I'm guilty of submitting some of those consults to ophthalmology. Henry Bair: I didn't realize this fully until I started working on the ophthalmology side. I think non-ophthalmologists get so little exposure and training in ophthalmology. Of course, when I think about it, I didn't get any ophthalmology in medical school. So it's understandable. Mikkael Sekeres: In your essay, you write, and I'm going to quote you to you, "I am still learning what we can treat and what we can only tend. My training has taught me well how to assess visual acuity, intraocular pressures, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, but standing at his bedside, the index that mattered was none of these, but whether we could help him read for one more day." "What we can treat and what we can only tend." That's such a beautiful line. Is that something that only comes with years of experience, determining what we can treat and what we can only tend, or is it a dawning sense as we get to know our patients when we are trying to stop the inevitable from happening? Henry Bair: That is an interesting question because I think of it more almost as a fundamental shift in mindset. And I'm coming from someone who I think had the benefit of having had mentors, having had clinical experiences in palliative care in medical school. As I mentioned earlier, I was drawn to a lot of those patient conversations. So I think in some ways, starting in residency, I had long been primed to think about tending to a patient's concerns. And yet, even having been primed, even having the benefit of all those experiences and those conversations with amazing clinicians and with patients, maybe it's subject matter specific. I mean, ophthalmology tends to be a specialty, in my experience, my limited experience, ophthalmology tends to be one of those specialties that focuses so much on fixing things and treating things and reversing things. And in fact, that's one of the beautiful things of ophthalmology: how often you can reverse things or completely stop the progression of disease. And so I think in some ways, I am having to relearn what it means to see something not always as, "Okay, what's a problem here? What is the fix? How do I reverse this?" and go back and reach back to those experiences, those conversations I had with patients about trying to figure out, "Okay, the things that we can't fix, what can we still do?" To most people who have come across palliative care, this sentiment is by no means novel, the sentiment that there is always something we can do. You often hear about people talking about, "Oh, there's nothing more we can do." And I sort of try to bring that approach into the clinical encounters that I have. It's very reflexive to think that, "Okay, a person has lost vision from end-stage glaucoma or they have a blind painful eye. Well, there's nothing more we can do. You know, we've done all the conventional surgeries, we've done all the therapies, the medications," but I always have to pull myself back and say, "But there's always something we can do here." Mikkael Sekeres: It's so interesting how you frame that. We're problem solvers. We're trained to solve problems. A patient presents with X, a problem, we have to be clever enough to figure out how to solve it. I wonder if what you're saying indirectly is sometimes we're identifying the wrong problem. Henry Bair: I think so, yeah. Mikkael Sekeres: There may be a problem that we can't solve. Someone is actively dying from cancer. We can't solve the problem of curing them of their cancer. But there are other problems that we can potentially solve, and maybe that's where we have to be clever in identifying the problem. Henry Bair: I think so. And it's also what's in our textbooks and what's not. So we spend hundreds of hours in lecture and we pour over so many textbooks, and I do question banks now for board exams preparation. It's all on the textbook presentations, the textbook solutions. The problems are, you know, the retinal artery occlusions, it's about the really bad diabetic retinopathy. And then the answers to those things would be a stroke workup, would be some kind of injection into the eye. But like the problem that I encountered in this story that I talked about was this patient trying to write letters to his kids. That's not going to show up on any exam. We don't have lectures about talking about those things. Mikkael Sekeres: So, as I think you know, I wrote an essay in 2010 for Art of Oncology and for a book that I wrote about a woman who inspired me to go into oncology. She was a woman in her 40s who was a pediatric attending who had advanced ovarian cancer. The story I wrote about her was how she spent her final night on this earth in the intensive care unit writing cards for her children, too. It's fascinating how history repeats itself in how we care for people who have cancer. You have a really a beautiful way of saying this. You talk about, "an ordinary father sharing ordinary advice for an ordinary day. Illness had made that ordinariness remarkable. Our work that day was to protect the ordinary." Can you talk a little bit, I mean given the woman I wrote about and the man you wrote about, about this need to communicate with your family after you're gone? Henry Bair: To me, one of the biggest lessons I've learned working in healthcare is that what defines most of our lives, what defines the most meaningful, the most purposeful, the most rewarding aspects of our lives is our relationships. You can explore this from myriad perspectives. You can explore this from like a psychosocial perspective and look at all those studies showing that people who have better social connections and better ties with their families live longer lives and actually healthier lives, have decreased rates of mental health problems. Or we can just approach this from like a more humanistic perspective and explore it and think and listen in on the conversations people have with people around them, that patients have, the conversations patients have during the most difficult times of their lives. They don't talk about their work, they don't talk about their accomplishments, they talk about their relationships with their kids, with their spouses, with their parents. In my experience when people are at critical junctures of big life changes, whether it's people about to go into major surgery, people grappling with the idea of losing their vision or losing their lives, any sort of big pivotal change, they want to talk to their families and explore gratitude and regret and all these things. These are the themes that come up over and over and over again. In some ways it does not surprise me at all, this need to communicate with the family at the end of life. In some ways that's how you live on, that's how we feel, that's how patients feel their lives are defined by is that lasting relationship, that lasting impact at the end, or even transcending the end. Mikkael Sekeres: This is going beyond the end, isn't it? Henry Bair: Yeah. Mikkael Sekeres: These are letters and notes being written to children to be handed to them after death. And I think one of the reasons, in my case, the woman I encountered when I was in training who inspired me to go into oncology, I've been thinking about her for 25 years off and on. Both the incredible spirit to be able to do that on your last night on this earth, but also the flip side to it: there are potential downsides to doing this, aren't there? That, you know, I think about it from the perspective of her kids who at the time were 8 and 10 years old in my case. And I wonder what it was like for them to open up that birthday card when they were 17 or 18. And I wonder if you've kind of wondered the same about your patient and his children. Henry Bair: Yeah, I think when we think about these letter-writing projects, legacy-type projects, I hear about in hospitals around the country, there are teams that try to implement legacy-type things: whether it's doing video messages, whether it's stitching together short documentary film for patients who are in hospice. I feel like I see these things popping up a lot. You raise a very important point, and I actually didn't think about this until I was writing the essay. It's not an unambiguous good because it's the impact is variable, and it's really hard to predict that. How did you grapple with that in your essay? How did you make sense of it all at the end? Mikkael Sekeres: I don't think I did. I don't think I still have, which is why I think I still reflect back 25 years later on this episode and thinking about her children and how they're now, maybe they're still continuing to receive these cards from her and whether that's something they really appreciate and are like, "Boy, this is great, I get a little piece of mom still even now," or do they look at her unsteady hand as she's writing these cards and say, "That's not the mom I want to remember." Henry Bair: Yeah, that's a really good point. In the essay, I talk about that moment when the patient recognizes these are very imperfect letters, imperfectly written. We talked a little bit about that. And the patient makes a point, very wisely. I had suggested, "Oh, what if you want me to correct things?" And he's like, "No, no, no, the mistakes are part of it. It's part of the message. The message is that this was me at a difficult time in my life. I cannot control my hands the way that I used to, but that's still part of me. That makes it more genuine and authentic, mistakes and all built in." He wanted his children to see him for who he fully was in that moment. Mikkael Sekeres: And that was such a poignant part of your essay and probably the one that jumped out at me the most. Like as a dad, you want your kids to see you for who you are, right? You're not a superhero. In this case, this is somebody who was going to succumb to his illness, who did, but he was their dad and wanted them to remember him for all of who he was at that moment. Before I let you go, Henry, because I feel like we could probably talk for hours about this, before we started this podcast, I noticed you had better podcast equipment than I do, and sure enough, you copped to the fact that you do host your own podcast. You want to tell us a little bit about that? Because it touches on so many themes we touched on here in Cancer Stories. Henry Bair: Yeah, well thanks for asking me about that. Yeah, don't mind if I plug a little bit. Yes, so in medical school, this was 2021, around 2022, we were emerging from the COVID pandemic, and one of the things I was seeing around me as a medical student were physicians and nurses leaving the profession in droves. Like, there were so many reports and surveys coming out of the AMA discussing how more than half of all physicians are burned out, a third of physicians can't find meaning in their work anymore. And that was really scary. As a clinical trainee, what was I getting myself into? These weren't just some clinicians somewhere. These were often times- I was hearing these kinds of conversations about losing sight of why they even come in in the first place to work. I was hearing these conversations from professors that I thought were well-accomplished. These were people who had gone to the right residencies, the right fellowships. They had the right publications. These are people who I aspired to be, I suppose, and they were talking about leaving clinical practice. A wonderful mentor of mine who is an oncologist, still an oncologist at Stanford, we started talking about these things. And I asked him, "You seem to love your job." He was a GI oncologist dealing with very, very sick patients day in and day out. I've seen him in clinic. And I asked him, "What's your secret? What keeps you coming back over and over and over again?" And so that led to a conversation. And then we realized, "Wait a second, there are people, a third of physicians losing meaning in their work meant that two thirds of physicians have meaning in their work. Okay, let's talk about that." So we started exploring, we started just asking clinicians who have found true purpose in their work. And then we asked them to share their stories. And that's how the podcast was born. It's called The Doctor's Art, and at this point, we've expanded and we interview nurses and patients and caregivers. We interview philosophers and filmmakers, journalists. We interview ethicists and religious leaders, really anyone who might have some insight about what living well means either from the clinician perspective or from the patient perspective. And guess what? Everyone is going to be either a caregiver or a care recipient at some point in their lives. It's still ongoing and it's ended up being something where we explore very universal themes. Mikkael Sekeres: Well, it sounds great, Henry, and it sounds like a perfect complement to what we're doing here in Cancer Stories. It has been such a pleasure to have Dr. Henry Bair, who is an ophthalmology resident at Wills Eye Hospital, to discuss his essay, "The Quiet Work of Clarity". Henry, thank you so much for submitting your article to the Journal of Clinical Oncology and for joining us today. Henry Bair: Thank you very much, Mikail, for letting me share my insights and my story. It was a wonderful opportunity. Mikkael Sekeres: If you've enjoyed this episode, consider sharing it with a friend or colleague, or leave us a review. Your feedback and support helps us continue to have these important conversations. If you're looking for more episodes and content, follow our show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and explore more from ASCO at asco.org/podcasts. Until next time, this has been Mikkael Sekeres for Cancer Stories. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions.   Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Show notes:Like, share and subscribe so you never miss an episode and leave a rating or review. Guest Bio: Dr Henry Bair is a ophthalmology resident physician at Wills Eye Hospital and podcast host of The Doctor's Art.

1-11-2026Pastor Joel Eden

Send us a textIn this deeply moving and unexpectedly uplifting episode, Joey Pinz sits down with Cynthia Wall, a 77-year-old licensed therapist, author, cancer thriver, and lifelong helper whose wisdom cuts straight to the soul.

CCJL 14 End of Life by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

In this month's episode, Roberto and Martha chat with James Wieme, Clinical Counselor Program Supervisor at Elizabeth Hospice. Listen to their discussion about hospice, how to navigate end of life decision making, and the benefits of grief counseling for families. Keywords: hospice, end of life, palliative care, grief, counseling

We often avoid end-of-life talks because we don't want to "upset" anyone. It's normal to feel stuck, but avoidance often leaves a mess for the people we love most. In our latest episode, we're breaking down how to "come in sideways," choose the right moments, and keep these conversations soft and present.

Optimistic bias by a family member charged with healthcare decisions can be a barrier for your wishes to be carried out. Learn how to avoid it in your advance care planning: https://bit.ly/499XQqaWhen Families Don't Hear the Truth: Why We Ignore Poor Prognoses  When someone we love is critically ill, we hang on every word from the medical team. But research shows something surprising and unsettling: when the prognosis is poor, many families simply don't hear it. Not because they aren't listening, and not because doctors aren't communicating clearly, but because human psychology steps in to protect us from unbearable news. Learn Important Facts to Guide You in Your Advance Care Planning Listen to learn more about this phenomenon and important considerations when you chose your healthcare decisionmaker. We also rebroadcast the S4E52 episode about preparing your paperwork for decisionmakers to speak for you when you are unable to.#AdvanceCarePlanning #EndofLife #ICU #HealthcareProxy #DurablePowerofAttorney #HealthcareDecisions #EveryoneDiesthePodcast #EveryDayisaGift #LivingWill #AdvanceDirective #PoorPrognosisIn this Episode:00:20 - How Appointed Decision Makers Interpret Information About Prognosis01:51 - Why Do Some Family Members Push for Every Possible Treatment When Further Interventions are Futile?03:35 - How Unrealistic Optimism Affects Decisions in the ICU07:36 - Intro - S4E52 - Durable Power of Attorney12:40 - Overlooked No More: Cordell Jackson20:36 - Are You Prepared to Die?  Get Ideas for Your Advance Care Planning 22:54 - The Importance of an Advance Directive39:47 - Advance Care Planning Example - How to Be Thorough and Precise 50:44 - OutroSupport the showGet show notes and resources at our website: every1dies.org. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | mail@every1dies.org

The International End of Life Doula Association believes everyone deserves compassionate, respectful care at the end of life. Executive Director Doug Simpson is working with the INELDA team to make that happen. Doug's journey to EOL doula work began with the death of his own father, followed by the birth of his son. Drawn to end of life work, Doug trained as a doula in 2018 and became an INELDA volunteer in 2019. He moved into the Executive Director position in 2022, and has never lost sight of the personal experiences that have guided his work. Reflecting back, Doug realizes the similarities between birth and death, and the deeply spiritual experiences of both these life events. He works with INELDA now to ensure that everyone has access to end of life care, resources to make that death an enriched experience, and education to promote growth and acceptance of the work of end of life doulas. You can find the work of the International End of Life Doula Association at inelda.org Read more about INELDA Executive Director Douglas Simpson here. Looking to find an INELDA doula in your area? Click here. Find out how EOL doulas serve the seriously ill and dying here. Facebook Instagram Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care.  If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you're already receiving, we're here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

With honest information and gentle humor, the founders of Before the Casket are teaching us how to plan for more than just funeral arrangements. Hospice nurses Erin Putney and Amy Hensley have designed workshops that educate attendees about hard end of life decisions, empowering them and their decision-makers and making the whole experience easier. Before the Casket also provides education for healthcare professionals, offering content on end of life interventions and compassionate conversations. Nurses can even get CEUs for license renewal.  Amy and Erin provide education that includes demos of medical devices and relaxed interaction. It's a great way to create realistic expectations for what care at the end of life looks like. You can connect with Before the Casket at beforethecasket.com Check out the courses offered for nurses and other healthcare workers here. You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes' products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara's blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you're already receiving, we're here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Join Dr. Pinkston as she welcomes Erica Bacchus, author of the deeply personal book, A Promise Kept. Erica shares the extraordinary and heartbreaking story of her late husband, John, and his battle with early cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer's disease. This conversation delves into a highly controversial and often-unspoken topic: end-of-life choices in the face of neurodegenerative disease. Erica describes the difficulty of John's diagnosis, his profound desire to maintain agency and dignity, and the intense emotional journey she undertook as his caregiver. They discuss: The challenge of Alzheimer's and end-of-life options, particularly the catch-22 regarding mental capacity and current U.S. laws like Medical Assistance in Dying. The couple's decision to seek assistance at Dignitas in Switzerland and the seven-month, complex application process. The overwhelming emotional toll of caregiving, the isolation, and the importance of honoring a spouse's deeply held, personal beliefs about life, purpose, and death. Erica's story is a testament to unwavering love, shared independence, and the courage it takes to support a loved one's choice to have a peaceful, dignified end on their own terms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Shoshana Ungerleider, is a board-certified internal medicine physician, science journalist, and passionate advocate for compassionate end-of-life care.  She hosts and produces TED Health and the NY Radio Award–winning podcast Before We Go, and founded the End Well Foundation to make end of life a part of life. Shoshana regularly appears as a medical expert on CNN, MSNBC, and CBS News, with bylines in TIME, USA Today, Scientific American, and more. She executive produced the Oscar-nominated Netflix film End Game, funded the Emmy-winning Extremis, and produced Robin's Wish, about the final years of Robin Williams.  In this episode, we explore how popular culture and healthcare meet—how film, media, and storytelling shape the way we see end-of-life, grief, loss, and caregiving—and we'll hear Shoshana's story of caring for her father through cancer. From documentaries to news headlines, including EndWell's part in consulting on HBO's Emmy winning drama The Pitt, these cultural moments guide how we talk about death, support those we love, and face our own final chapters. TRANSCRIPT with resources Daughterhood

With honest information and gentle humor, the founders of Before the Casket are teaching us how to plan for more than just funeral arrangements. Hospice nurses Erin Putney and Amy Hensley have designed workshops that educate attendees about hard end of life decisions, empowering them and their decision-makers and making the whole experience easier. Before the Casket also provides education for healthcare professionals, offering content on end of life interventions and compassionate conversations. Nurses can even get CEUs for license renewal.  Amy and Erin provide education that includes demos of medical devices and relaxed interaction. It's a great way to create realistic expectations for what care at the end of life looks like. You can connect with Before the Casket at beforethecasket.com Check out the courses offered for nurses and other healthcare workers here. You can find the Approaching Death Support Kit at bkbooks.com. Find all of Barbara Karnes' products and resources at bkbooks.com. Read Barbara's blog at bkbooks.com. Connect with Barbara Karnes on Facebook IG LinkedIn Twitter (X)  YouTube Hospice Navigation Services understands that you need unbiased, expert support to have the best end of life experience possible. And we believe you deserve to get good hospice care. If you have questions about hospice care for yourself or someone you care about, Hospice Navigation Services can help. Whether you want to connect by phone or video, you can book a FREE 30-Minute Hospice Navigation Session, or a more in-depth 60-Minute Navigation Session for $95. If you need to troubleshoot the care you're already receiving, we're here to answer your questions. A 60-Minute Navigation Session by video call allows up to 3 family members to get the same expert information at the same time. Book a session with an expert Hospice Navigator at theheartofhospice.com.   Connect with The Heart of Hospice Podcast and host Helen Bauer Website: theheartofhospice.com Social media: Facebook  Twitter  Instagram LinkedIn Email: helen@theheartofhospice.com More podcast episodes: The Heart of Hospice Podcast Podcast host Helen Bauer is a great addition to your event or conference! For speaking inquiries, send an email to helen@theheartofhospice.com.

Greg Bishop discusses the debate around a measure on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk about "end-of-life" options for terminally ill patients that opponents say has "grave" consequences. The measure was approved by the Illinois Senate in the final hours of fall veto session, early Halloween morning. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some people have wonderful experiences with hospice, and other people say the experience was terrible. What's the difference?If your loved one is sick enough to need hospice, it's a highly stressful time for your whole family. Whether your loved one has cancer, dementia, ALS, COPD or another serious illness, making the decision for when to request hospice care is tough.Once you've made the decision to start hospice, how do you make sure that your loved one and your family get the very best hospice care? In this episode we discuss the 10 ways to be sure you get the very best hospice care.Caring for you as you care for them.Dr. Deliahttps://doctordelia.comBe sure to subscribe to The Integrative Palliative Podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-integrative-palliative-podcast/id1617730043Coping Courageously: A Heart-Centered Guide for Navigating a Loved One's Illness Without Losing Yourself is available here: www.copingcourageously.com Please review this podcast wherever you listen and forward your favorite episode to a friend! And be sure to subscribe!Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming programs:https://trainings.integrativepalliative.com/IPI-stay-in-touchI'm thrilled to be listed in Feedspot's top 15 palliative podcasts!https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/

Key Takeaways1. Hospice isn't about giving up — it's about shifting the goal from cure to comfort.Most misconceptions stem from fear or lack of education. Hospice focuses on maximizing quality of life, not accelerating end of life.2. Timing matters. Early conversations lead to better experiences.Families often wait until crisis mode. Subtle changes — fatigue, weight loss, repeated hospitalizations, shifting goals — are early signs to explore hospice.3. There is an entire team behind every patient and family.Chaplains, social workers, nurses, CNAs, and physicians work together to support medical, emotional, spiritual, and logistical needs.4. Quality of life is unique to each patient.It may mean one last trip, freedom from pain, or simply being able to rest without fear. Hospice focuses on what matters most.5. Families gain relief, clarity, and peace knowing they're not alone.Hospice offers 24/7 support, education, and guidance — reducing anxiety and preventing unnecessary hospital visits.6. Eligibility is flexible and individualized.A prognosis of six months or less is a guideline, not an expiration date. A hospice RN and medical director work together to determine appropriateness based on a full clinical picture.7. Hospice allows sacred, human moments to happen.Final conversations, reconciliation, peaceful transitions — hospice creates space for these moments rather than crisis-driven chaos.8. Education is the antidote to fear.Knowledge gives families confidence, reduces guilt, and empowers them to make aligned decisions for their loved ones. www.YourHealth.Org

THE GOOD DEATH VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR: Suzanne B. O'Brien RN in Conversation with Michelle Donaldson. Michelle Donaldson, a certified end-of-life doula from Doulagivers Institute, joins this episode of "Ask a Death Doula" to share her profound insights into hospice care. Her journey from advanced EMT and pharmacy technician to end-of-life doula reflects her deep commitment to holistic, dignified support. Inspired by her own parents' hospice experiences, she now works with a dedicated hospice team in Las Vegas to blend non-medical guidance with traditional care, creating a more personal and transformative experience for patients and their families. Education and empathy shine throughout our conversation as Michelle highlights the gaps families often face within the hospice system. She emphasizes the importance of preparing and supporting family caregivers—those who carry much of the emotional and physical load. Through her compassionate training, real-life stories, and collaboration with the hospice team, Michelle helps families navigate end-of-life challenges with confidence, connection, and cultural sensitivity. Her work shows the invaluable impact doulas can have in turning overwhelming moments into peaceful, meaningful memories—and she invites anyone drawn to this mission to join the growing movement of compassionate end-of-life support.   (00:02) The Role of End-of-Life Doulas (05:20) Improving End-of-Life Care Through Education (13:48) Making an Impact in End-of-Life Care (20:11) Navigating End-of-Life Care Conversations (24:07) Transforming End-of-Life Care Together (37:00) Join the Death Doula Movement    Join the upcoming FREE Doulagivers Level 1 End of Life Doula and Family Caregiver Training Webinar here  Register to join us for FREE: THE GOOD DEATH BOOK CLUB EXPERIENCE: 12 MONTH FREE DEATH AND DYING COURSE  Or visit our website here!  GET THE GOOD DEATH BOOK Here     Meet our guest: Michelle Donaldson Website: Open Arms Doula    Please Share!   Know someone who is a caregiver, healthcare worker, or spiritual seeker? Share this episode and invite them to join this sacred and supportive experience.    Listen & Subscribe: Available on Apple Podcasts • Spotify • Google Podcasts • YouTube       JOIN MY FREE TRAINING AND MEMBERSHIP SITE   This is a community-supported group hosted by Suzanne B. O'Brien RN, founder of the International Doulagivers Institute for training those who want to be professional End of Life Doulas, Doulagiver Practitioners and for anyone wanting more EOL education Join Here: 4491664174178077   ⚑ SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL ⚑ If you want to do great things you need to have a great environment. Create the life you want by surrounding yourself with positivity and watching daily.  Click here to subscribe!   ツ  CONNECT WITH ME  ツ Leave a comment on this video and it'll get a response. Or you can connect with me on different social platforms too: Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Podcast   #deathdoula #deathdoultraining #dyingwell #death #life #deatheducation #doulagivers #hospice #hospicecare #hospicenurse #deathdoula #soulmidwife #deathmidwife #endoflifeplanning #healthcareproxy #funerals #fearofdeath #endoflifedoula #thegooddeath #hospice #grief #deathawareness #birth #endoflife #deathpositivity #consciousdying #dying #advanceplanning #deathpositive #gooddeath #consciousliving #endoflifedirective #palliativecare #advancedirective #livefully #suzannebobrien. #lifecafe #consciousness #awarenes

Here with the holiday of Thanksgiving in the US in 2025, join us for a chat about Rhea's experience as a Chaplain, and the idea of finding a bit of slower “turtle time” when we need it. Rhea leads us in a guided meditation in which we can rest, welcome all of ourselves, and let it allll jussst beeee. She guides us to make friends with the breath as we gently relax and follow her voice. Whether you are a caregiver, harried cook, newly bereaved, with people or solo, celebrating or not excited about the upcoming holidays…this episode invites you into a world of stillness that is always close by.For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠Follow us on our social channels to receive pertinent and helpful resources on death, grieving, and more at:Facebook: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/bestlifebestdeath⁠⁠