Ask a Death Doula

Suzanne B. O’Brien RN•askadeathdoula.podbean.com

Ask a Death Doula Podcast is a weekly show hosted by Hospice and Oncology nurse Suzanne B. O’Brien. Suzanne is the CEO and founder of International Doulagivers Institute. This is a vital platform for discussions and interviews that will bring back death into the natural fold of life. Ask a Death Doula will share vital education on how to care for those who are dying as well as sharing inspiring stories from working at the bedside with over 1000 dying people from all around the world. Please visit www.doulagivers.com to access our free education and resource center. About International Doulagivers Institute: The goal of Doulagivers Institute is simple and powerful - to provide affordable and accessible education and support to everyone in the world so that every person has the opportunity to die with comfort and dignity in their own home. Death is something that we all have in common no matter our race, religion, or socioeconomic status. We believe that this education to support people to have the most positive end of life experience is a human right, not a privilege.

Last refreshed: July 7th, 2025 at 8:49 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Your Legacy Captured in Moments and Timelines

Big Ideas: 1.Bringing Back the Awareness of Death Being a Natural Part of Life. [ 2:55 ] – l – there were two things I’ve learned over the course of my career as a Hospice and Oncology nurse that made it go 80 to 90% better for people: The first thing is planning ahead with Advanced Directives and thinking about what you do or don’t want at the end of life. The second thing is knowing the basic skills for how to care for somebody at the end of life in order to facilitate a good death. 2. The Fiv...

Jun 06, 2022•29 min•Ep. 62

Annoucing Doulagivers Level 1 End of Life Doula Training Veterans Edition

Big Ideas: 1.We Have to Start Being Guided by Our Hearts [ 6:32 ] – We have to break the cycle of living from a place that is guided by our ego. A place that leads to pointing fingers and creates hate and division and that comes from a place of fear, shame, and guilt. We must instead allow our heart guidance system to show us the way forward so that we can change our world for the better. We have really lost our way in nearly every category imaginable – the way we treat each other, the way we tr...

Jun 02, 2022•31 min•Ep. 61

In stressful times, focus on what you CAN control

Big Ideas: Food and Stress [4:30] – Stress can come in many forms and one of them is environmental stressors. In our world today, most of our food sources are empty calories with a lack of nutrients and an abundance of chemicals and contaminants. This leads to an increase in inflammation and stress in the body which over time can develop into disease. Elyse says that she personally pays more attention to the ingredients listed on the foods she consumes rather than on the nutrient panel. She emph...

May 24, 2022•28 min•Ep. 60

How do we reduce the fear of death? - by learning the truth about it. The Art of Doulagiving

How do we reduce the fear of death? - by learning the truth about it. In this episode of Ask a Death Doula, I have the great pleasure of sharing the Art of Doulagiving Graduate series with Certified Doulagiver Teri-Portugal Gooden. Teri’s first experience of death was with her beloved Gaga. When alone in the room as Gaga with transition, she sat up and exclaimed with excitement to Teri “Not to be afraid because its beautiful!!!!! And showered Teri with red kisses all over her face just moments b...

May 18, 2022•27 min•Ep. 59

Why We Experience Such Complicated Grief Today

In this episode of "Ask a Death Doula", I talk with Reid Peterson the founder of The Grief Refuge App. We have an insightful conversation about grief, what is is, how it works and what you can do to thrive through the grief journey. 2. Why Grief is so Complicated [8:49] – Grief is painful, and people want to avoid pain of all types – emotional pain is particularly complicated to deal with. Many people associate feeling this kind of pain as not normal and then crave a sense of normalcy in respons...

May 10, 2022•31 min•Ep. 58

5 Tips on How to Care for Someone Who is Dying

Be Present [2:47] – The magic is in the present moment. Be fully present - not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. Most of us don’t live in the present moment. Focus on what’s in front of you – what do you see, what do you hear, what do you feel in your heart? If you are fully present, you will get everything you need to know how to be of service to a person at end of life. People may say they’re fine, but if you really observe in the moment, you will know the truth. Trust you...

May 03, 2022•19 min•Ep. 57

Self Care for Doulas- and Everyone!

When you practice self-care, you are caring for everyone else. The better version of you – the healthier, the happier, the more vibrant you are – the better you will care in all areas of your life. It’s so important. In this episode of Ask a Death Doula, I will share with you the vital importance of daily self care in all four bodies of energy. The time to implement self care is not when you feel stressed out, It is key to incorporate it ahead of time. Understanding what you need to nourish your...

Apr 27, 2022•21 min•Ep. 56

National Death Doula Day April 20th!!

Today is National Death Doula Day and we are celebrating with a very special podcast and free family caregiver training! Death used to be revered as a sacred part of our life’s journey. It is only within the last 100 years that we've absolutely removed the end of life from being a natural component of our lives. This removal of end of life has, in my opinion, caused death to become 1,000 times more difficult for both patients and family members. End of life can be a positive and sacred experienc...

Apr 19, 2022•33 min•Ep. 55

World Training Day Interview with Doulagivers Thailand Lead Trainers

The goal of the International Doulagivers Institute is to support communities worldwide with free end-of-life doula community caregiver training. Doulagivers International recognizes that education and engagement are the keys to a peaceful passing. One of the organization's key initiatives is Death Doula Training for Families via their Annual World Training Day event - a free public education program that empowers families and takes the fear out of the end of life. One of our greatest examples o...

Apr 14, 2022•36 min•Ep. 54

When you find your path and purpose in life- everything makes sense

I believe that this is the true purpose of this life’s journey. To find what your gift is to share in this world and make it a better place for everyone in it. This can ONlY come from listening to your heart. Where is it calling you to go, and then having the courage to do it. You are the ONLY one that knows what your purpose is and you are the ONlY one that can make it happen. In this week’s podcast, I have the great pleasure of interviewing Amy McLaren and we talk all about her new book It’s c...

Apr 07, 2022•34 min•Ep. 52

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