Episode 152: A conversation with Joelle Johns
In Today’s episode, Saul talks with Joelle Johns on the importance of community education on death, dying and grief. Joelle is a pastoral thanatologist and a clinical chaplain.

In Today’s episode, Saul talks with Joelle Johns on the importance of community education on death, dying and grief. Joelle is a pastoral thanatologist and a clinical chaplain.
When someone close to us dies at an older age, we often take comfort not only in celebrating their life, but also in knowing that death is part of the natural process of living. This experience is not the same when you are faced with the sudden death of your child. In this episode, Julie Spears talks about the tragic death of her 16 year old son and how she has coped with it.
This is Part Two of Saul’s conversation with Ronald Greer about his new book, “The Quiet House.” Ron Greer is the Director of the Pastoral Counseling Service at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, having been with this ministry for forty years. He is an ordained United Methodist minister, a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of four books: The Path o...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Ronald Greer about his new book, “The Quiet House.” Ron Greer is the Director of the Pastoral Counseling Service at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, having been with this ministry for forty years. He is an ordained United Methodist minister, a Fellow of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He is the author of four books: The Path of Compassio...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Indira Dyal-Dominguez on her book “You: A spiritual being on a spiritual journey.” This book redefines a new paradigm shift that is shaped by the Self. In this paradigm shift, Connecting becomes a way of knowing that at any moment you can ‘unplug’ or ‘disengage’ the Mind’s vibration and speaking of what is occurring to ‘Connect’ to your Self for the answers that are unique to you. Here is an example of Indira’s guided audio; https://www.indiralife.com/connect In...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Joshua Black on Grief Dreams. Dr. Black holds a MA and PhD in Psychology. He is a grief researcher, speaker, consultant, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. His work focuses on dreams and continuing bonds after loss, including prenatal and pet loss. As one of the leading academic experts in grief dreams, which can be dreams of the deceased, Joshua has directed his efforts on raising awareness about this fascinating phenomenon through media interviews, incl...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Christopher Hamilton on his philosophical thoughts on life, middle age and death. Dr. Hamilton is a professor of Philosophy at Kings College in London. Dr. Hamilton completed his BA in philosophy at King's College London (where he also completed the Associateship of King's College) and went on to do an MPhil and PhD in philosophy at Birkbeck College London. As part of his PhD he also studied philosophy and literature at the University of Bonn, Germany. He la...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Wendy Cadge about her new book, “ The Everyday Work of Chaplains ”. She is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and the Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Brandeis University. She founded and co-directed the Transforming Chaplaincy Project from 2015-19, and in 2018 launched the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab . An award-winning teacher, she has published more than 75 articles and raised more than $6.5 million in support of her own research a...
She earned her MA in Religion and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She taught in the Religion and Philosophy Department at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey for over a decade earning the Dunbar Abston Jr. Chair for Teaching Excellence.
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Karen Docherty on the intersection between mediumship and end of life care. Since the discovery of her abilities, Karen has worked tirelessly to bring the word of Spirit to those who need it most. From the UK to the USA, from Asia to Australia, clients from all over the world meet with Karen to receive readings, enroll in mentorships and share a space for discussions on the power of Spirit. A woman with spirit and a breath of fresh air, Karen offers a contempora...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Jeremy Holloway on Social Isolation in older adults and Tellegacy. Dr. Holloway is a speaker, consultant, and cross-cultural communication educator. He is also a Geriatric Professor and Director of Geriatric Education at the University of North Dakota, specializes in diversity, equity, & inclusion with a unique focus in cross-cultural communication, human connection, resiliency, self-efficacy, and personal empowerment of individuals, especially in the he...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to Pamela Coley, a former hospice nurse to reflect on her experience of working in hospice. Prior to hospice, she also worked as a school nurse and currently also does some local acting. She is passionate about her faith and about educating people on what happens as we die.
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Leanne Griffiths on the intersection between sports, living well and dying well. Dr. Griffiths is the Dean of Faculty, Sport, Technology and Health Sciences (FSTHS) at St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London. As Dean of Faculty, Dr. Griffiths is responsible for the expansion and development of our contemporary portfolio of programmes, the day to day management of Faculty matters and ensuring a positive working environment for staff and students. Dr. Grif...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Shelby Forsythia about her book, “ Your Grief, Your Way .” Shelby Forsythia (she/her) is a grief guide, author, and podcast host. In 2020, she founded Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community that has helped dozens of grievers grow and find their way after death, divorce, diagnosis, and other major life transitions. Following her mother’s death in 2013, Shelby began calling herself a “student of grief” and now devotes her days to reading, writing,...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to both Karen Oikonen and Kate Wilkes on “Constellations: Designing participatory engagement and end of life.” Kate Wilkes is a service designer based in Toronto, Canada. Passionate about meaningful collaboration, Kate is always keen for opportunities to leverage diverse perspectives to make sense of complex problems in pursuit of impactful solutions. Kate studied at the University of Toronto, George Brown College's Institute without Boundaries, and the Dun Laoghai...
In today’s episode, Saul talks with Masey Kaplan who is one of the founders of the Loose Ends Project about the Loose Ends Project and the therapeutic value it brings to end of life care. Masey Kaplan is a graphic designer and voracious knitter. The idea for Loose Ends Project came about when Masey Kaplan and Jennifer Simonic, both avid knitters, realized that they had a shared experience: Friends would often ask them to finish blankets, sweaters, or other projects left undone by deceased loved ...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Juli Boit about her new book, “ Brave Love: A Nurse’s Story of Courage and Compassion in a Kenyan Hospice.” In 2004, at just 25 years old, Juli Boit embarked on a remarkable journey from her home in Los Angeles to a remote Kenyan village of Kipkaren River. Driven by a profound calling and desire to make a difference, Juli witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS on the local community, particularly among young adults and children. Year after year, ...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks with Paul Nash- Senior Chaplain at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the England , Arooj Rashid Hussain- Editorial Director at Ta Ha Publishers and Zamir Hussain- Author and Chaplain at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the England. The conversation is on Zamir’s ground breaking new publication “ A Guided Journal for the Bereaved Muslim Parent .” Zamir Hussain is a UK-based Muslim Healthcare Chaplain since 2007 and a qualified teacher. She h...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Abby Brockman about her life’s journey and work. Abby Brockman is a Jewish board-certified clinical trauma chaplain. She received her Masters of Divinity from Boston University's School of Theology, completed her clinical residency at the Seattle VA hospital, and worked as a staff chaplain for many years at Seattle Children's Hospital on their Cancer Care Unit, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and In-patient Psychiatric Unit. She specializes in trauma, grief and l...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Dr. Jonathan Singer on grief issues around end of life care. Dr. Singer is the assistant professor of clinical psychology at Texas Tech University. Some of the research that Dr. Singer has been part of that is covered in this episode; Examining public stigma and expectations of grief following medical aid and dying in the US: A vignette-based experiment. Palliative and Supportive Care 21 ,270276. Pandemic grief risk factors and prolonged grief disorder in bereav...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Janelle Benuska on her work as a death and grief doula. Janelle Benuska is a death + grief doula, licensed massage therapist, energy worker, hospice volunteer, Death Café facilitator, mother, wife, and deathcare advocate. Her services focus on active listening, facilitating and holding space, and her practice is rooted in community and love, deep, authentic connection and devotion to attentive, intentional care. For more information, please visit https://www.our...
In Today’s episode, Saul talks to Chaplain Anthony Balistreri on his life’s journey and chaplaincy in the jail system. Chaplain Anthony is currently in his ongoing assignment as Chaplain in the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, which he has held since he established their Chaplaincy Counsel in 2016. In this position, he has established healthy, constructive relationships within the office as well as with other government offices in Racine County amongst elected officials and laymen. Anthony holds ...
In today’s episode, Saul talks to E. Jane Wyatt on memory and elder care. E. Jane Wyatt is a Licensed Professional Counselor, with M.A. in Health Education and a M.S. in Guidance and Counseling. Becoming the primary caregiver for her mother and dealing with her progressive dementia gave Jane deeper insight into issues regarding caregivers and the lack of easily accessible resources for them. Her education and personal experiences have given her the knowledge to create those resources and the mot...
In today's episode, Saul talks to Adam McHugh on his book "Blood from a stone: A memoir of how wine brought me back from the dead." Adam McHugh is a wine tour guide, sommelier, and Certified Specialist of Wine. He is a regular contributor to Edible Santa Barbara & Wine Country and a happy resident of the Santa Ynez Valley. Adam is the author of the memoir Blood from a Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead, which tells the story of how he stumbled his way from hospice chap...
Tom is also a well-known speaker, having offered conference programs across the United States, Canada, and Japan and in England, Australia, Israel, and Germany as well as innumerable talks and workshops for nurses, physicians, funeral directors, clinical psychologists, social service providers, gerontologists, hospice workers, bereavement coordinators, clergy, educators, civic organizations and the general public. He taught philosophy at Bowling Green State University for nearly twenty-five year...
Dr. David Clark is Professor emeritus of Medical Sociology at the University of Glasgow’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies in Dumfries, Scotland and has wide-ranging interests in end-of-life issues in the global context. He founded and led the Glasgow End of Life Studies Group . He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Denmark, and a Visiting Researcher at the University of Navarra, Spain.
Saul Ebema talks with Dr. Cathy Siebold- a legendary social worker, psychotherapist and social movement theorist. Cathy Siebold is also the author of “ The Hospice Movement: Easing death pains. ” In this interview, she talks about her recollection of the earlier years of the hospice movement. In this interview, Cathy Siebold who has witnessed firsthand the evolution of hospice care since its modern incarnation in the 1960s, presents a balanced and objective analysis of the movement’s accomplishm...
Having participated in Camp Kangaroo two weeks ago, Saul is taken back to his conversation last year with one of the founders of camp kangaroo Russell Hilliard. Dr. Hilliard is the Senior VP, Patient Experience & Staff Development at AccentCare Hospice and also the Founder of the Center for Music Therapy in End of Life Care.
In today’s episode, Saul talks to Wes Moldogo on holding space for veterans. Wes is a Chaplain for a small community hospice in Central Oregon. He also currently serves as a Chaplain in the Army National Guard. In this episode Wes talks about Veterans: specifically the connection between their EOL care, and how deeper upstream palliative care could more likely lead to good, robust outcomes. He also explores spiritual distress/pain and disharmony that he encounters; both with current soldiers and...
In Today's episode, Saul talks to Monique Jones about her journey. Monique is a chaplain who has worked both in hospital and hospice settings. In this episode she shares about her life experiences and journey to chaplaincy.