Leading Organizations That Matter - Episode 53: Hospice Nurse Penny: Demystifying Death

Release Date: February 4, 2025
Host: Rey Spadoni

Introduction

In Episode 53 of Leading Organizations That Matter, host Rey Spadoni engages in a profound conversation with Penny Hawkins Smith, a dedicated hospice nurse on a mission to demystify death. This episode delves deep into the challenges and rewards of normalizing death and alleviating death anxiety through innovative methods, including the use of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

Penny's Background and Mission

Penny Hawkins Smith brings over 20 years of experience in hospice care to the conversation. With the last 12 years as a certified hospice and palliative care nurse, Penny has dedicated her career to improving the death experience for both patients and their families. She emphasizes that a "better death experience" is achievable by reducing fear and stigma surrounding death.

[02:33] Penny Hawkins Smith: "People can have a much better death experience if they are not afraid of what's happening."

Penny's mission is to "normalize the death and dying process," making it less frightening and more meaningful for those involved.

Use of Social Media to Normalize Death

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penny discovered TikTok almost serendipitously. Initially experimenting with the platform for entertainment, she inadvertently posted a video about a patient's death that went viral. This unexpected response illuminated the public's interest in discussing death openly.

[04:46] Ray Spadoni: "...your mission of educating about and normalizing something that we don't often normalize."

Penny leverages her background in entertainment—having sung in a rock band and acted in stage plays—to create engaging content that breaks down complex end-of-life issues into digestible, often humorous segments.

Reactions to Her Approach

Penny's innovative approach has garnered a predominantly positive response. While some critics, particularly anti-hospice groups, have expressed hostility, the majority of her audience appreciates her blend of humor and education.

[05:55] Penny Hawkins Smith: "Humor is a great coping mechanism... It makes it easier for them to learn."

Her ability to cater to various learning styles—ranging from lip-sync videos to direct educational talks—enables Penny to reach a diverse audience effectively.

Empowering Those with Death Anxiety

A significant portion of Penny's audience comprises individuals grappling with death anxiety. Penny shares her personal journey of overcoming this fear, highlighting the therapeutic role of acceptance.

[10:16] Penny Hawkins Smith: "Acceptance of death is the key to stopping that fear. Because once we can say, I'm going to die, there's nothing I can do about it."

By confronting mortality head-on, Penny empowers her followers to live more fully, free from the paralyzing fear of death.

Addressing the Spiritual Dimension

While Penny's message transcends specific spiritual beliefs, she acknowledges and respects the varied perspectives of her audience. Whether one views death as a passage or an end, Penny's focus remains on the universal aspects of death as a natural part of life.

[12:36] Penny Hawkins Smith: "My message is about death being a normal part of our lives... What happens after is a small piece."

This inclusive approach ensures that her content resonates with atheists, the spiritually inclined, and everyone in between.

Challenges Faced in Her Mission

One of Penny's significant challenges is the potential ban of TikTok in the United States. TikTok has been instrumental in her ability to disseminate her message through trends and interactive content.

[19:10] Penny Hawkins Smith: "TikTok may be banned... But I'm not going to give up. I'm going to continue my content creation."

Additionally, Penny faces backlash from anti-hospice groups who spread misinformation and conspiracy theories about hospice care.

Combatting Anti-Hospice Sentiment

Penny addresses the root causes of anti-hospice sentiment, attributing it to a general avoidance of mortality and misinformation about hospice practices. She actively debunks myths and clarifies the hospice benefits to counteract negative perceptions.

[21:53] Penny Hawkins Smith: "People believe hospice is intentionally killing our patients... But that's a myth we need to dispel."

By providing accurate information and emphasizing the compassionate nature of hospice care, Penny strives to rebuild trust and understanding around hospice services.

Death Happens: An Insider's Guide to Dying

Beyond social media, Penny hosts a podcast titled Death Happens: An Insider's Guide to Dying. Alongside her partner, a hospice social worker, they aim to empower individuals with knowledge about end-of-life care, legal rights, and the true nature of hospice services.

[32:51] Penny Hawkins Smith: "We're trying to empower people to know what is true about hospice and to know their rights when it comes to hospice."

Her recent memoir, Influencing Death, Reframing Dying for Better Living, combines personal narrative with educational insights, offering readers both emotional resonance and practical information.

Future Plans and Closing

Looking ahead, Penny plans to retire from her quality assurance role in April 2025 to return to the bedside as a per diem hospice nurse in her rural community. Her commitment to educating others remains steadfast, and she continues to adapt her content strategies in response to changing digital landscapes.

[38:59] Ray Spadoni: "Wishing you the best with your continued work and personal mission."

Penny remains undeterred by challenges, focusing on her passion for education and the deep connections she fosters through her work.

Notable Quotes

• Penny Hawkins Smith: "Humor is a great coping mechanism." [05:55]
• Penny Hawkins Smith: "Acceptance of death is the key to stopping that fear." [10:16]
• Penny Hawkins Smith: "Death is a normal part of our lives." [12:36]
• Penny Hawkins Smith: "I'm not going to give up. I'm going to continue my content creation." [19:10]
• Penny Hawkins Smith: "People believe hospice is intentionally killing our patients... But that's a myth we need to dispel." [21:53]

Connect with Penny Hawkins Smith

For those interested in exploring more about Penny’s work, you can visit her website hospicenursepenny.com and connect with her across various social media platforms:

• Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok (if available), RedNote: ospicenursepenny
• Email: [email protected]

Book: Influencing Death, Reframing Dying for Better Living – Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retailers.

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