Doctor Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer Shares Life Lessons People Learn Too Late with Mark Goulston, MD

This episode is brought to you by Birch Living Mattress and Lifeforce.

If you had the opportunity to reflect on your life, relationships, and the legacy you would like to leave the world with, what reflections would you have, and what wisdom would you share on living a content and peaceful life? Would your answers change if you knew your death was impending, and what would you prioritize in your remaining days?

Today, on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with Dr. Mark Goulston to discuss the lessons that dying has imparted on him and that he is eager to share with the world. Dr. Goulston shares exercises and practices that can help us be better listeners, build awareness, and create genuine curiosity to make better connections.

Dr. Mark Goulston is a retired psychiatrist and a specialist in the field of death and dying who is currently confronting his own mortality. He’s also a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the author or co-author of ten books, with his book, Just Listen, ranking as the top book on listening worldwide. He also hosts his highly-rated podcast, My Wakeup Call. He's renowned as the inventor of Surgical Empathy, an approach he employed with suicidal patients. 

In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Goulston dive into (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

Dr. Goulston’s career and practice, and how he found peace in confronting his terminal diagnosis  (2:20 / 2:20) 

Dr. Goulston’s diagnosis of leukemia and the treatment he is undergoing (9:44 / 6:45) 

Wisdom from Dr. Goulston’s late father (14:05 / 10:48)

Actual vulnerability and how Dr. Goulston believes he is “giving to live” (19:17 / 16:11)

The importance of making sure friends and family feel loved by you (26:35 / 24:00)

A key question to create connection (28:16 / 25:40)

Dr. Goulston’s mentor’s advice on the criteria for having a good death (34:50 / 32:07)

Myths about dying, acceptance and surrendering to the idea of dying and the peace of mind you feel (41:04 / 38:05)

What prohibits people from prioritizing connection in life (43:25 / 41:16)

The importance of listening and how it creates awareness and curiosity (48:58 / 46:36)

Using the HUVA exercise (58:00 / 55:06)

Prove, Show, Hide, and Please exercise and eliminating those from your personality (1:02:00 / 59:40)

The FUD CRUD technique to invite frustrations out without judgment (1:17:00 / 1:14:00) 

Dr. Goulston’s ideas on self-forgiveness and letting go of what he felt he did not achieve (1:24:00 / 1:21:04)

Dr. Goulston’s belief that he exists as a catalyst to help people heal (1:44:25 / 1:41:29)

Also mentioned in this episode:

My Wakeup Call podcast

Hurt Less, Live More show

TED Talk - What Made You Smile Today?

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