In this episode, I sit down with Mary McCollum, who faces the end of her life with rare honesty and peace. Mary shares what dying has taught her about living, the struggle between the will to live and letting go, and finding joy even in life’s hardest moments. 

She speaks openly about stopping treatment, entering hospice, the freedom she’s found in embracing this stage of life, and the love story that’s carried her through it all—and much more. Mary reminds us that while death feels like a goodbye from one side, it’s a homecoming from another. 

Welcome to episode eight. 

Check Out:

Peter Attia on what the dying teach us about living well: Listen →

Mary’s CaringBridge: caringbridge.org/visit/marymccollum

Reflections:

A Parable of Immortality by Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933)

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at last she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, “She is gone.”

Gone where?

Gone from my sight—that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone says, “There, she is gone,” there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”

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Elevate the Podcast Experience: Support better podcast quality & filmed episodes: @TheEthanCLewinPodcast on Venmo. I tithe 10% of all contributions—split evenly between the All Secure Foundation (helping soldiers transition home): ⁠allsecurefoundation.org/donate⁠ and the Academy of the New Church HS: ⁠secure.qgiv.com/for/aotnc⁠.

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Calling All Creatives:

Looking for a catchy podcast intro jingle! Musicians and creatives, reach out via the contact page. If I use yours, I’ll plug your platform on the show. I’m posting these as-is once I hit record because they’re perfectly imperfect.

Post Note:

I’m inspired by the stories people carry, honest feedback, and the magic when creative minds connect. If you’re a brand interested in partnering, reach out:⁠⁠ www.linkedin.com/in/ethanlewin⁠⁠.

Thanks for being part of the journey! 

PEACE!