Podcast Summary: Before We Go – Season 2 Overview

Host: Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode: Season 2 Teaser

Main Theme

Season 2 of "Before We Go" takes listeners on a thoughtful exploration of mortality, love, and meaning. Guided by Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider's personal connection to loss and her expertise as a physician and advocate for end-of-life care, the podcast expands its conversation to include diverse voices, aiming to reshape how we talk about and experience the end of life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Shifting the Focus

• Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider introduces the new direction for the season:
  • [00:01]: “On the first season of Before We Go, we focused on my story, but this season we're doing something a little different. We're in conversation with people from all walks of life, exploring how we live alongside mortality.” — Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider

Personal and Universal Experiences

• The narrative weaves personal anecdotes with universal themes of loss and resilience.
  • [00:18]: A guest (C) shares a strategy for caring for a loved one:
    • "First, I got a really big chalkboard and I left it in the kitchen. And I say, dad, you're in California. You're okay. Please don't go outside."
    • This moment highlights the practical, loving ways families navigate illness and risk.

The Weight of Loss

• Dr. Ungerleider and her guest touch on how loss shapes perspective and emotional reality:
  • [00:27-00:32]
    • Dr. Ungerleider: “I know people that have not experienced loss, and there's a lightness to them that I just—”
    • Guest (C): “Wish I had.”
    • This exchange underlines the profound transformation that accompanies grief, and a shared longing for the innocence that comes before experiencing significant loss.

Community and Innovation in End-of-Life Care

• Dr. Ungerleider signals the intent to include a variety of voices, both familiar and new, focused on improving how society approaches death:
  • [00:33]: “I'll talk to some old friends about the work they're doing to try to make the end of life a little less hard for everyone. And I'll talk to some new friends, too.” — Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider
  • [00:42]: Guest (B) brings hope and optimism about progress in healthcare:
    • “I can't think of anything more fun than up healthcare. That to me is like winning a championship.”
    • This line injects positivity and energy into the often somber topic of end-of-life care.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:01] Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider:
  “We're in conversation with people from all walks of life, exploring how we live alongside mortality.”

• [00:18] Guest (C):
  “First, I got a really big chalkboard and I left it in the kitchen. And I say, dad, you're in California. You're okay. Please don't go outside.”

• [00:27-00:32] Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider & Guest (C):
  “I know people that have not experienced loss, and there's a lightness to them that I just—”
  “Wish I had.”

• [00:42] Guest (B):
  “I can't think of anything more fun than up healthcare. That to me is like winning a championship.”

Important Segments and Timestamps

• 00:01: Dr. Ungerleider describes the season's broader focus
• 00:18: Guest (C) shares a poignant family strategy for caregiving
• 00:27-00:32: Dr. Ungerleider and C discuss the impact of loss
• 00:33: Plans for conversations with diverse experts and friends
• 00:42: Guest (B) shares excitement for innovation in healthcare

Tone & Style

The teaser maintains an open, gentle, and hopeful tone while acknowledging the heaviness of its subject matter. Dr. Ungerleider’s compassionate approach invites both empathy and curiosity, setting the stage for meaningful, relatable conversations in the coming season.

For listeners and new audiences alike, this season of “Before We Go” promises deep, engaging stories and new perspectives on how we face mortality—together.