This caller grew up without religion, lost their mom to suicide at 13, and spent years in a fear of death so overwhelming they couldn't be around skeletons or eat meat. Then they were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

But somehow, this is not a sad episode.

This week's caller is funny, sharp, and genuinely at peace — not because life got easier, but because they stopped waiting for it to. We talk about what it actually felt like to go from debilitating death anxiety to building a community, writing a book, and strapping roller skates back on at 46 after a hip replacement. We talk about what a Parkinson's diagnosis changed, and what it quietly gave them. And they say something near the end of the call that I've been thinking about since: that they're just glitter. That glitter sticks to everything and you can't get rid of it no matter how hard you try.

In this conversation:

• What death anxiety actually felt like — before a diagnosis put it in perspective
• Losing their mom to suicide at 13, and how that fear lived inside them for decades
• Finding purpose through Parkinson's — and why they call it a "terribly wonderful gift"
• Hope vs. belief: how they hold both, especially when it comes to their mom
• Being a single parent of four kids (two grown, two teenagers) while living with a progressive disease
• Dark humor, living intentionally, and not caring who watches you dance in the rain
• What they still want to do before they're done — and why it's simpler than you'd expect

A few lines from the call:

• "I guess I'll have to embrace this. So I did."
• "Your hundred percent today looks different than your hundred percent yesterday."
• "We're all just meat and electric jelly when it breaks down to it."

Book Recommendation: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

More book recommendations from past episodes: View the full list

Video Episode: If you’d like to watch this conversation instead of just listening, you can find the video version on YouTube.

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About When We Die Talks: When We Die Talks is a podcast built around anonymous conversations about death, loss, and how contemplating mortality shapes the way we live. If you’re new here, start with the Episode Guide. It’s designed to help you find conversations that match where you’re at—curiosity, grief, hesitation, or openness.

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Want to share your thoughts? Leave a voicemail at 971-328-0864 and share what you believe happens when we die. Messages may be featured in a future episode. If you’d like to have a full conversation, you can apply to be an anonymous caller at whenwedietalks.com.