What if you could transform the end-of-life experience into a holistic, human journey rather than a purely medical one? Join us as we explore the profound and often overlooked aspects of end-of-life care on this episode of "Ask a Death Doula." We’re breaking down the three phases of end-of-life, from initial comfort measures to the body's natural decline, and highlighting the critical role of proactive planning. Discover how you can enrich these final moments for your loved ones and yourself by ...
Sep 16, 2024•29 min•Ep. 107
What if a life-threatening health crisis could transform not just your body, but your spirit as well? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Peggy Lindsay, heart transplant survivor and author of "My Beat Goes On," as she recounts her extraordinary journey. Peggy opens up about her family's history of heart disease and the unexpected health scare at age 51 that led her to seek a second opinion, ultimately revealing the urgent need for a heart transplant. Her story underscores the power of pr...
Aug 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 106
Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Adrian Allotey, Founder of You Are Not Alone Elder Care Ever wondered how we can transform the final stages of life into a sacred and beautiful experience? Join us as we sit down with Adrian Allotey, an empathetic end-of-life doula and elder companion, who shares her heartfelt journey of turning end-of-life care into a deeply human and spiritual endeavor. Adrian opens up about her personal regrets and the lack of support she felt during her grandmothe...
Aug 06, 2024•32 min•Ep. 105
Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Felicity Warner, Founder of Soul Midwives UK Can the final days of life be filled with dignity and grace? Join us for an enlightening journey into the heart of end-of-life care as we welcome Felicity Warner, the pioneering founder of Soul Midwives. Felicity shares her deeply personal story of how her grandmother's painful hospital experience ignited her mission to transform end-of-life care into a compassionate, holistic practice. Her efforts have sin...
Jul 30, 2024•34 min•Ep. 104
Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Brad Wolfe, Founder of Reimagine EOL What if confronting mortality could be the key to living a more meaningful life? Join us as we host Brad Wolf, the visionary founder and executive director of Reimagine End of Life, who shares his deeply personal journey and the pivotal experiences that led him to break down the taboos surrounding death through arts, spirituality, healthcare, and design. Brad recounts early inspirations, like his grandmother's wisd...
Jul 23, 2024•49 min•Ep. 103
Death Doula Global Summit Speaker Spotlight: Ken Ross President of the Elisabeth Kubler Ross Foundation. Honoring Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: A Legacy of Compassion and End-of-Life Care In 2020, Doulagivers Institute sponsored The Death Doula Global Summit and had interviews with the most impactful pioneers in the Death Doula and Death Positive Movement. The wisdom and interviews are breathtaking. If you were not able to be part of that live summit, here is your chance as we will be spotlighting ...
Jul 16, 2024•40 min•Ep. 102
Understanding Death: Finding Peace and Healing in Grief Can understanding death truly transform your experience of grief? In this deeply moving episode of Ask a Death Doula, we explore powerful insights shared by hospice nurses and end-of-life care professionals. These stories reveal comforting phenomena such as seeing deceased loved ones and experiencing a surge of energy, offering a profound sense of peace. We also demystify the nature of grief, highlighting that it is a natural response to an...
Jul 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 101
The Vital Role of End-of-Life Doulas Join us for a profound exploration of the pioneering work of Barbara Karnes in the American Hospice movement. In this episode, Barbara shares her inspiring journey from initial disillusionment with nursing to finding her true calling in hospice care, influenced by legends like Cicely Saunders and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Beginning her career at the onset of the AIDS epidemic, Barbara recounts her early days volunteering and working at Kansas' first hospice. Thr...
Jul 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 100
Transform Your Health and Happiness with Forest Bathing: A Journey Through Nature Therapy Have you ever felt the healing power of nature wash over you during a simple walk in the park? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, on "Ask a Death Doula" as I recount my transformative experiences in Central Park and share the ancient wisdom behind the practice of forest bathing. Discover how immersing yourself in nature can rejuvenate your mind and body, with benefits like reduced cortisol levels, lowered blood pres...
Jun 18, 2024•26 min•Ep. 99
Two hospice nurses sit down and have a heart to heart discussion about the end of life and dying experience. Sharing the TRUTH about this sacred experience, and what people need to know to have the "Good Death". Get ready to be inspired and to look at life and death through an entirely new lens! Enter Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse whose journey from the fast-paced intensity of the ICU to the soulful realm of end-of-life care has shaped her into a poignant storyteller and advocate. She joins us...
Jun 11, 2024•41 min•Ep. 98
Steps to Safeguard Your Pet's Well-being What would happen to your beloved pet if something were to happen to you? Join us for a heartwarming and crucial conversation with Ingrid Harrison, a passionate advocate for animal welfare, as we delve into the world of pet trusts. Ingrid's touching journey, originating from her childhood on a dairy farm, offers a unique perspective on the profound emotional bonds between humans and their pets. Together, we explore the importance of setting up pet trusts,...
Jun 04, 2024•33 min•Ep. 97
Learn how to be a "Tele" Death Doula and work with people from the comfort of your own home! Covid-19 changed our lives forever. It also changed many different ways that we provide care. Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as we explore the fascinating world of death doulas and how they provide essential support to individuals and families now through the use of technology. Drawing from my background as a hospice and oncology nurse, we discuss the holistic, non-medical care that death doulas offer. By ref...
May 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 96
Chalk Marks and Heart Strings: A Journey of Authenticity Discover the transformative power of love and art with Justin Lucci. Justin is the founder and CEO of the Global Love Project, who joins us to share his heartrending yet inspirational journey. After a personal tragedy reshaped his world, Justin traded his corporate suit for sidewalk chalk, starting a movement that encourages us to connect with our most authentic selves. Throughout our conversation, he opens up about the pivotal moments tha...
May 21, 2024•27 min•Ep. 95
Fostering a Network for Impactful Doula Services at Life's End Have you ever considered how the knowledge of death might deepen your appreciation for life? Suzanne shares her expertise on creating a vital network resource list, a toolkit that arms you with connections ranging from estate planning lawyers to eco-friendly burial options, ensuring that your doula practice is not only a beacon of support for grieving families but also a thriving business. Step into the realm of ethical end-of-life g...
May 14, 2024•22 min•Ep. 94
Guiding Lights in the Passage from Life to Death with Judi Arasi Join us as we shine a spotlight on Judi Arasi, a remarkable graduate from the Dula Giver Practitioner program, whose journey into becoming a death doula is nothing short of inspiring. Judi shares the pivotal moment that propelled her towards this calling—the death of her mother-in-law—which revealed to her the pressing need for a more informed and compassionate approach to end-of-life care. Our conversation with Judi illuminates th...
May 07, 2024•28 min•Ep. 93
Conversations at Life's End with Tomorrow's Generation Could our silence on the subject of death be shaping our children's fear of the inevitable? This time, we peel back the layers of this taboo topic and reveal why it's essential to introduce our youngest minds to the concept of mortality. As a hospice nurse, I've witnessed firsthand the impact of death on families and the profound intuitive understanding children can have when it's explained with care. In sharing stories from the bedside, we ...
Apr 30, 2024•33 min•Ep. 92
Reimagining End of Life Care with Kim Adams and Community-Based Care Imagine the impact of a world where the final stage of life is met with compassion, dignity, and a return to the caring embrace of community. That's the transformative vision Kim Adams, a passionate advocate in the death and dying movement, and I discuss during an enlightening conversation on end-of-life care. As we traverse the topics of home funerals, green burials, and the necessity for community homes for the dying, we unco...
Apr 23, 2024•29 min•Ep. 91
Mastering Life's Choices: Harmonizing the Ego and the Heart Have you ever felt torn between the whispers of your heart and the logic of your mind? Our latest conversation delves into the profound realization that we navigate life with not one, but two internal compasses: the ego and the heart. Together, we explore the subtle yet powerful cues these guides offer and introduce the 'Ray technique,' a transformative tool I've developed to help you harmonize these distinct voices. As we embark on thi...
Apr 09, 2024•37 min•Ep. 90
Navigating the Tender Journey of Caregiving in Life's Final Chapter Can we truly bear the weight of end-of-life care alone, or do we need a village to carry us through? Join me, Suszanne O'Brien, as I tackle the often-overlooked yet essential questions that underpin the daily life of those offering care in the final chapters of a loved one's life. In the heartfelt journey of caregiving, I shed light on the acute and safety issues that cannot be ignored, and underscore the importance of a support...
Apr 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 89
Embracing Life's Final Transition: The Role and Impact of Death Doulas My journey as a hospice nurse revealed gaps and limitations in end-of-life care, inspiring me to advocate for a more compassionate approach. Stepping away from the sterile hospital corridors, we enter the realm of Death Doulas—unsung heroes who offer support, comfort, and dignity to those on their final journey. Today's conversation unwraps the intricate layers of becoming a Death Doula, highlighting the significance of prope...
Feb 20, 2024•42 min•Ep. 88
Volunteer Chronicles: A Night of Compassion and Connection Have you ever been awakened by a profound sense of community and connection? Prepare to journey through an extraordinary night where Maple, my trusty canine companion, and I found ourselves amidst the sanctity of a Fifth Avenue church turned women's shelter. This sacred encounter wasn't just another New York City anecdote; it was a transformative experience, fueled by compassion and the unwavering spirit of an elderly woman's dedication ...
Feb 13, 2024•21 min•Ep. 87
Embracing Life's Final Chapter: The Rise of Death Cafes and Starting a Death Doula Business Ever wondered how the contemplation of mortality could enrich your life? Join me, Suzanne O'Brien, as I lead you through the enlightening world of Death Cafes and reveal the secret to starting a Death Doula business. We embark on a journey from the inception of Death Cafes by Bernard Crettaz to their global spread, thanks to John Underwood's vision. I'll share my personal experience of launching a Death C...
Feb 06, 2024•28 min•Ep. 88
Embracing Universal Life Mastery with the RIPA Technique: Insights for a Purposeful Existence Have you ever considered the profound lessons that life's final moments can teach us about living? Embark on a transformative journey with me, Suzanne O'Brien, as I introduce the RIPA technique, inspired by the wisdom of those in the twilight of their lives. This isn't just a regular self-help talk; it's a gateway to universal life mastery, encouraging you to live with intention, love, and higher wisdom...
Jan 30, 2024•15 min•Ep. 86
Journey Beyond the Ego to Spiritual Fulfillment Ever wondered how the wisdom gleaned from the brink of life's final chapter could illuminate your day-to-day existence? That's exactly what we uncover in our latest episode, where I, Suzanne O'Brien, delve into the unexpected life lessons from my path as a Death Doula. It's an exploration that takes us from the heart-wrenching moments of end-of-life care to the heart-led decisions that guide us towards a life of joy, flow, and yes, even miracles. A...
Jan 23, 2024•38 min•Ep. 85
The Sacred Work of a Death Doula Explored Discover the profound lessons and transformative experiences that arise from the unique and deeply meaningful work of a Death Doula. Embrace insights that will not only change how you view the end of life but also how you live each day to its fullest. Embark on an exploration of what it truly means to generate a sustainable income as a Death Doula. Learn about the Doulagivers Specialist Practitioner certification and the diverse range of services it enco...
Jan 16, 2024•27 min•Ep. 84
Compassionate Pain Relief in End-of-Life Care: Understanding Management and Medication When the shadows of life grow long and the light at the end of the tunnel becomes clear, pain management becomes a paramount concern for both patients and caregivers. In our latest heartfelt episode, we venture into the delicate realm of ensuring comfort for those on their sacred final journey. Addressing the elephant in the room, we dispel common myths surrounding pain medication at the end of life, reassurin...
Jan 09, 2024•34 min•Ep. 83
Exploring the Empowering Facets of Death and Dying Can we truly embrace life without acknowledging its end? This poignant question is at the heart of today's transformative discussion as we delve into the empowering and healing aspects of end-of-life planning. Sharing insights from my years as a hospice nurse and my training in Level 1 Doulagiver's family caregiver training, we explore the importance of creating an after-death plan and voicing our wishes for after we pass, and how this can shift...
Jan 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 82
Understanding and Conquering: A Guide to Dealing with Cancer What if you found out that you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer? Would you know what questions to ask, how to navigate the complex landscape of treatments, or even how to cope with this life-altering news? In this episode, Suzanne shares her experience as a hospice and oncology nurse, equipping you with the top 10 questions to ask your doctor following a cancer diagnosis. She underscores the importance of having a support syste...
Dec 19, 2023•23 min•Ep. 81
Lessons of Love and Letting Go from Hospice Care What if embracing death could enrich your daily life? Join us as we navigate this profound exploration with our cherished guest, Dr. Karen Wyatt. A transformative journey awaits, as Dr. Wyatt shares her personal story of finding meaning and purpose in the wake of her father's suicide, eventually leading her to a rewarding career as a hospice physician. Discussion takes a turn towards the deep end as we delve into the world of hospice care, unfoldi...
Dec 12, 2023•40 min•Ep. 80
Securing a Positive End-of-Life Experience through Planning Imagine having the power to dictate the quality and course of your end-of-life care, being able to define what 'quality of life' means for you. This episode explores just that, with expert insight from Suzanne O'Brien, a former hospice and oncology nurse with years of experience in guiding individuals through this deeply personal journey. Dive into the world of advanced directives and the surprisingly non-binding nature of these documen...
Dec 05, 2023•38 min•Ep. 79
