As I Will It

Meet Benji ! Benji is an old friend and I am so happy he agreed to chat with me. Benji has ad a series of significant health traumas over the past decade. We talk health, trauma, and health anxiety in the conversation that explores near death experiences, resilience, mental health, and the struggle to live life in the present. Thanks so much Benji!

*This episode contains stories of medical trauma and anxiety.

Meet Doug! Doug is a brother, husband, father, grandfather, outdoorsman, and friend. Doug is always keen to talk about all things pertaining to end of life and follows the evolution of Canada's MAiD laws closely. Listening to Doug talk about his life and the deaths of his mother and brother, both by suicide, as well as his father following a lengthy Alzheimer's battle, it is clear that Doug's interest and advocacy comes from a desire to prevent the suffering he witnessed in his loved ones. Doug also lives his life fully, spending hours in nature daily, reading, and with his beloved family. His story is one of many that can help inform robust conversations around Medical Assistance in Dying and ongoing changes to legislation.

Please note: this episode deals with topics including depression, death by suicide, substance use, chronic illness, and MAiD.

This is Phyllis' final interview with the As I Will It Podcast. She passed away on October 18, 2024 and is sorely missed. She requested her 'last hurrah' be recorded before this date, as she had some final words for all the folks out there.

To be remembered always, Phyllis Eileen Brodie Lynch. We have our last opportunity to learn from this amazing woman.

** This episode contains discussions about death and dying, and medical assistance in dying (MAiD).

Meet Andy! We were lucky enough to sit down with Andy at the Toronto School of Art to hear about his life as an artist in Toronto from when he moved there in 1975 until now. Andy tells us about living in Toronto, trying to make a living as an artist, before the AIDS crisis began, and the way life changed suddenly as he and loved ones started to become sick. He has experienced the death of 2 partners and the love and support of his community in managing the caregiving, loss, and grief. We are so grateful to Andy for sharing with us his fascinating and heartbreaking story of life, death, resilience, and art.

A prolific artist, Andy's work can be found on instagram @andy_fabo

Note: this episode deals with topics relating to death and dying, the AIDS crisis, grief, and partner loss.

Meet Shannon! We are so lucky to be able to learn from Shannon .. she experienced the sudden loss of her mother, Louise, who is her best friend, 5 years ago. Shannon shares her experiences with traumatic loss, profound grief, and what she has learned about the importance of continued connection to our loved ones after they have died. Shannon also shares strategies and tools she has used during dark times, and provides insight into what we, as a society, get wrong about grief. We are so lucky to be able to learn from Shannon.

TW: this episode deals with sudden, violent loss, and impaired driving.

Meet Matthew! Matthew is a partner, son, brother, cousin, artist, and so many more things and was generous enough to sit down and chat with me about his extraordinary life. He tells the story of his life and family, the immense adventure, connection, and loss .. first of his mother Joy, when he was 19, two of his siblings, Paula and Tim, and finally his father Gordon. Matthew knows that what it is to experience both sudden loss and to witness prolonged illness and lives his life with creativity, love, and joy. Matthew tells the story of the Jocelyn Family the way he experienced it. His sister Marthe's episodes are also available if you haven't listened ..

Thanks Matthew!

Meet Emily! Emily's life changed drastically 3 weeks into the pandemic when her mom was diagnosed with a life limiting illness, while Emily was living in British Columbia. She tells us about her move home to Montreal from BC to care for her mom, her ongoing advocacy work with Canada's MAiD program, and the unexpected role Vanderpump Rules has played in her grief process and livelihood! Such an interesting story told by a lovely person. Thanks Emily!

This episode deals with topics around death and dying, illness, and use of Canada's MAiD program.

Meet Julie! Julie was born and raised in Port Dover, ON and has started thinking a lot about her end of life, having turned 70 this year. We talk about her childhood in Port Dover and she tells me about how her challenging relationship with her mother, as well as becoming a mother and grandmother herself, has influenced her thoughts around death and dying, as well as her own expectations of how she can be supported as she ages.

This is a story of travel and adventure, great love, and painful losses, all of which paint a picture of Julie, her hopes for the future, and her wishes for herself and her much loved family.

This episode deals with some challenging topics including medical trauma, death and dying.

Introducing Marthe Jocelyn. She is an artist and writer, who lives in Stratford, Ont. She also happens to be Amy's cousin! The improbable story of Marthe's family and their losses is both fascinating and astonishingly heartbreaking. Marthe tells it beautifully in great tribute to her mother Joy, her sister Paula, her brother Tim, and her father Gordon. Marthe's conversation with the podcast is divided into 2 episodes .. Also, check out our Instagram page @asiwillit_pod for pics of the family and some beautiful art!

This is episode 2 of Marthe Jocelyn! It picks up where we left off so, if you haven't listened to Part 1, circle back and get at 'er!