Podcast
End-of-Life University
Hosted by Karen Wyatt MD · ENGLISH
Dr. Karen Wyatt, hospice physician and author of "7 Lessons for Living from the Dying," interviews experts on all aspects of the end-of-life, including: caring for the dying, funeral and burial practices, planning for the end-of-life, conscious dying, grief and loss, caregiver support, afterlife, death and the arts, and community initiatives to improve end-of-life care. Access show notes at www.eolupodcast.com
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Ep. 549 The “Dying Team”: Community-Supported Deathcare with Anna Byrne
Jun 100:58:58Tap to summarizeLearn about a compassionate, community-based approach to caring for someone at the end of life, including the use of medical assistance in dying. My special guest Anna Byrne is and end-of-life educator, speaker, and author who holds degrees in Gerontology, Psychology, Education, and Theology with a thesis on Medical Assistance in Dying. She is the author of the memoir Seven Year Summer and The Last Caravan: The Power of Community at the End of Life, which we discuss today. She shares her experience supporting a friend through the last months of her life, including using MAID and also planning her funeral and burial. She has also co-founded Community-Supported Dying in the qathet region in British Columbia. Learn more at her website: annambyrne.com Get the book here Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: How Anna first became acquainted with Mary Morgan and eventually ended up supporting her in her dying process How Mary approached her dying as an activist just as she had lived her life The “dying team” Mary created to help her at the end of her life How COVID complicated the plan for Mary’s last days The Ring Theory for creating a support network How her team used Lotsa Helping Hands to organize tasks and helpers The Blessing Way ritual and how the team applied it to Mary’s care The “messiness” of community, especially around the end of life Anticipatory grief as the date of death approached How they helped Mary plan and carry out her funeral and burial Links mentioned in this episode: Lotsa Helping Hands Related Episodes: Seven Year Summer with Anna Byrne A Bioethics Conversation on MAID with Jeffery Kahn PhD Conversations About MAID with Diane Rehm Compassionate Communities with Elizabeth Johnson, Erin Collins, and Qwynn Galloway-Salazar Books: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying by Karen Wyatt MD Latest post on Substack: What I Didn’t Understand About Medical Aid in Dying What Really Matters Podcast: Grieving the Chosen Goodbye Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Soul Join the team at Patreon.com/eolu Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal AnnaByrneInterviewDownload
Transcribe →Ep. 548 Choice at the End of Life: A Bioethics Conversation on MAID with Jeffrey Kahn PhD in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics
May 2500:37:10Tap to summarizeLearn about facts and misconceptions around medical aid in dying and the ethical tensions that exist in medicine and society. My guest Professor Jeffrey Kahn is a bioethicist, researcher, author, and Director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. The institute’s award-winning podcast, playing god? explores ethics dilemmas that arise in medicine, science, law, and health policy. Today we discuss with Dr. Kahn the most recent episode of playing god?: I Need you to Help Me Die – an exploration of Medical Aid in Dying through first-person storytelling and expert analysis. This episode includes a clip from I Need You to Help Me Die and listeners are invited to listen to the full episode at the following link: https://playing-god.transistor.fm/s2/1 Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: Why the Berman Institute chose to address medical aid in dying in their latest episode The story of journalist Esmé Deprez and her father’s choice to use MAID Why medical aid in dying is not the same as suicide The difference between medically-assisted dying and euthanasia The protections built into MAID laws that can also become obstacles Ethical dilemma’s for healthcare providers Why improved access to MAID is needed in states where it is legal Links mentioned in this episode: playing god? podcast Esmé Deprez’ Essay: “Death With Dignity: How I Helped My Dad Die” Related episodes: Compassion and Choices at the End-of-Life with Arline Hinckley Dignity Day: A Guidebook for Medical Aid in Dying with Gabrielle Elise Jimenez Medical Aid in Dying: A Physician’s Perspective with Dr. Bob Uslander Medical Aid in Dying: A Chaplain’s Perspective with Rev. Dr. Terri Daniel Books: Dignity Day by Gabrielle Elise Jimenez 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying by Karen Wyatt MD Wild and Holy: A Journey Through Grief, Guilt, and Grace in Italy by Karen Wyatt MD Latest post on Substack: What I Didn’t Understand About Medical Aid in Dying What Really Matters Podcast Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Soul Join the team at Patreon.com/eolu Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal Jeffrey Kahn InterviewDownload
Transcribe →Ep. 547 When We Die Talks: Facing the Fear of Death with Zach Ancell
May 1800:56:24Tap to summarizeLearn how asking “What do you think happens when we die?” helped this podcast host deal with death anxiety. My guest Zach Ancell is the creator of When We Die Talks, a project around one question asked to anonymous callers: “What do you believe happens when we die?” He airs these fascinating conversations as a podcast that explores death, meaning, fear, grief, and how mortality shapes the way we live. Zach invites people to “leave a voicemail and share a belief, a question, or a moment you can’t shake about death: 971-328-0864.” Learn more at the website: whenwedietalks.com Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: What motivated Zach to start When We Die Talks The courage it takes to face the fear of death The benefits of anonymity in conversations about death How Zach approaches these discussions with curiosity and no agenda What has changed about his acceptance of death has increased from these conversations How asking “What do you believe happens when we die?” unlocks other layers of meaning The ultimate benefit of the project is learning to live more intentionally and authentically How mortality awareness helps us re-prioritize life Links mentioned in this episode: Leave a voice mail for Zach at 971-328-0864 Apply here to be an anonymous guest on When We Die Talks podcast Register for Q&A Session with Shelby Forsythia about Of Course I’m Here Right Now A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. And thanks to everyone who has bought me a coffee or made a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 546 The Love List of a Lifetime: Uplifting End-of-Life Planning with Sherry Richert Belul
May 1101:03:07Tap to summarizeLearn about an end-of-life planner that helps people share joy and love as they prepare for their later days. My guest Sherry Richert Belul is the founder of Simply Celebrate and author of The Love List of a Lifetime. She helps people discover creative, heartfelt ways to celebrate life, deepen connection, and express love–while also guiding people to plan for the end-of-life. She is a workshop leader and speaker who emphasizes loving out loud and making moments that matter. Her end-of-life planner The Love List of a Lifetime helps people organize what matters most, share their love, and leave a legacy of connection and care. Learn more at her website: simplycelebrate.net Get the book here Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: How Sherry is currently finding joy within the depths of her grief The depth of our grief and sorrow is what allows for the breadth of kindness and joy A love list as a gift for someone with a terminal diagnosis Why include something “imperfect” on a love list Why planning for the end of life is an act of great love Start end-of-life planning by making a phone tree of contacts to be notified after your death and include a short message to each person Sharing the stories of the things we plan to pass on to others How sorting through items from the past with a loved one can create new special memories People need to be seen and heard and loved for who they are Say it now – don’t let the moment pass Links mentioned in this episode: Register for Q&A Session with Shelby Forsythia about Of Course I’m Here Right Now A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my latest donor Joy Fletcher. And thanks to everyone who bought me a coffee or made a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 545 Organ Donation and Extraordinary Conversations at the End of Life with Toby Campbell MD
May 400:59:10Tap to summarizeLearn about organ donation at the end of life and how to have conversations about it and other difficult topics. My guest Dr. Toby Campbell is a Professor of Medicine, Thoracic Oncologist, and Palliative Care Physician who is also a writer and podcaster. He is currently writing A Doctor’s Guide to Hard Conversations and created the Extraordinary Conversations Podcast, which explores the pivotal discussions that arise around organ donation and transplantation–and event at the end of one life that helps prolong another life. He discusses these challenging conversations and how they might inform other situations when we need to talk about a difficult subject. Learn more at the website: extraordinaryconversationspodcast.com Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: How Toby’s desire to practice “slow medicine” led to his interest in oncology and palliative care Challenges faced by families in organ donation situations Recognizing that some healthcare decisions are more for the future than for the present moment How the dying process differs when organs are being donated Rituals that might occur in the setting of organ donation Why our feelings about organ donation need to be discussed as part of our end-of-life planning How organ donation can end up helping donor families with their grief Tips for having difficult conversations including building rapport, responding to emotion, eliciting values and priorities Links mentioned in this episode: Register for Q&A Session with Shelby Forsythia about Of Course I’m Here Right Now Get tickets for May 9th Life Review: The Hospice Musical Support the Kickstarter Campaign for Life Review A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my latest donor Joy Fletcher. And thanks to Cathy Duke for making a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 544 The Queer Grief Club and Inclusive End-of-Life Care with Jamie Thrower
Apr 2701:03:53Tap to summarizeLearn how to better serve the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in grief and at the end of life. My guest Jamie Thrower is a queer death doula, end-of-life educator and community grief tender serving the LGBTQ+ community in life and in death. She is the founder of Queer Grief Club and the co-creator of The Dementia Deck. We discuss how to offer more inclusive services in our end-of-life care and grief support spaces. Learn more at Jamie’s website: jamiethrower.com Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: Jamie’s story of becoming parentless at age 28 How she discovered that grief connected her to others in a beautiful way Why children need to be involved in death and funerals The many layers of grief experienced by a queer person How our systems need to change to become more inclusive What we can do as individuals to make our care more welcoming to the queer community Hidden bias in our paperwork and forms for people in the LGBTQ+ community The importance of advance directives for queer people Links mentioned in this episode: Jamie’s Etsy shop (support her work!) A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. And thanks to Wayne for buying me a coffee and Rick DiTullio and Dawn Dayter for making a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 543 A Hospice Musical to Teach About Life’s Grief and Joy with Benjamin Kintisch
Apr 1301:02:17Tap to summarizeLearn how to experience and support a fantastic musical comedy about hospice care, grief, and finding meaning in life. My return guest Benjamin Kintisch is a trained chaplain, music teacher, and Cantor in the Jewish synagogue. He is the creator, lyricist and playwright of “Life Review: The Hospice Musical,” a musical comedy that focuses on the lessons a young rabbi learns when he is assigned to be a chaplain for patients in a residential hospice. Ben discusses the upcoming full performance of the musical and album recording on May 9th and the real life origin of the stories and songs in Life Review. Visit the website and support the Kickstarter campaign at the links below: lifereviewmusical.com Kickstarter Campaign for Life Review Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: What inspired Ben to write a musical about hospice How Ben ended up creating a one-man version of the show during COVID The story arc of the musical and what it teaches Audience reaction to the musical and why it creates “teachable” moments Why the arts and media are important vehicles for educating the public about death, dying, and grief The upcoming May 9th performance of the musical and live album recording at Johns Hopkins University How (and why) to support the Kickstarter Campaign Links mentioned in this episode: Get tickets for May 9th Life Review: The Hospice Musical Support the Kickstarter Campaign Previous interview about Life Review A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. And thanks to everyone who has bought me a coffee or made a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 541 [BONUS] Kindness is Contagious and We Need it Now More Than Ever (from What Really Matters Podcast)
Apr 600:33:32Tap to summarizeThis Bonus post is a cross-over episode from the What Really Matters Podcast. In this episode I’m sharing research by Dr. Jonathan Haidt that demonstrates the ripple effects transmitted from each and every act of kindness. When other people see us being kind it changes them. And this moment in time–when people are feeling overwhelmed, polarized, frightened, and uncertain–is exactly when kindness is needed. "Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing." from the poem Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye This episode includes: How we collectively know deep sorrow at this time in history Apples: a simple story of kindness becoming contagious Dr. Jonathan Haidt’s research findings about kindness Noticing the effects of kindness on others The Kindness Walk as a practice Invitation to share your kindness stories with me at info@eoluniversity.com Learn about my books here Check out What Really Matters Podcast Read my latest Substack post Make a donation here
Transcribe →Ep. 542 Estate Transition: An Important Part of End-of-Life Planning with Dan Stickel
Apr 600:57:07Tap to summarizeLearn about a software resource that helps people navigate estate planning and settlement and find greater peace at the end of life. My guest Dan Stickel is the Founder and CEO of EstateExec, a cloud-based software solution estate administration and settlement. If you’ve ever served as the executor for an estate you know how challenging it can be to manage financial decisions while grieving after a death has occurred. Dan explains how this software eases the burden for loved ones and avoids common mistakes, and also why it should be part of end-of-life planning. Learn more at the website: estateexec.com Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: Why Dan created EstateExec based on his own experience Most people don’t have a will and why that may or may not be a problem How the EstateExec app helps people navigate the estate settlement process after a death occurs The common issues estate executors struggle with Why the estate transition process can’t be rushed and each step is important Simple steps in planning an estate in advance that could make a big difference for survivors Many states have laws to protect families financially after a death Why death doulas and hospice workers may want to encourage estate planning before death for peace of mind and less family conflict Links mentioned in this episode: A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop Latest post on Substack: Rethinking the Bucket List What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. And thanks to Lynn Adamo for making a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →Ep. 540 Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving with Shelby Forsythia
Mar 3001:02:21Tap to summarizeLearn how to support a grieving person by choosing the best words to say that will actually make a difference. My guest Shelby Forsythia is a grief coach, author, podcast host, and the founder of Life After Loss Academy, an online course and community for grievers. She is the author of Your Grief Your Way, Permission to Grieve, and her latest book Of Course I’m Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving. Her work has been featured in Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine. Learn more at her website: shelbyforsythia.com Get the book here Watch on YouTube Listen here: This episode includes: How Shelby became a “student of grief” who views loss as a perpetual teacher Three common internal narratives that grieving people face Three simple but transformative phrases to use when supporting someone Why words are the most accessible tool for support of someone grieving The need for grief literacy to prevent the secondary loss of friendships during times of grief The “three Ds“ of grief What is the “second wave of grief” The lack of grief literacy on social media Links mentioned in this episode: Get Wild and Holy on Amazon or Bookshop A Year of Reading Dangerously reading group Of Course I’m Here Right Now Book Club with Shelby Forsythia Shelby’s Supporting Someone Mini-series Latest post on Substack: The Minimalist Approach to the End of Life What Really Matters Podcast View my Patreon tier for Soul Supporters and receive extra reflections as a special bonus NEW Gift Guides for Caregivers, People Receiving Care, and People Who are Grieving Get my two newest books!! Stories from the Dark Night and The Tao of Death Get EOLU Podcast Merch here Conversations on Death with ChatGPT – Audiobook here; Print Book here Leave me a message by email: kwyattmd@comcast.net, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Souloin the team at Patreon.com/eolu and receive free gifts like the “Mind if we talk about death?” mini-poster or Love Your Life sticker or coffee mug. PLUS get our regular bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, monthly What to Watch recommendations, Behind the Scenes Bonus content, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously! Buy me a coffee Donate on Paypal If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu. And thanks to everyone who has bought me a coffee or made a donation on Paypal! Your contributions make all the difference and ensure this podcast stays ad-free.
Transcribe →