What does it mean to be “too poor to die”? Author and researcher Amy Shea took a deep dive into how poverty affects the end of life.

What happens when you die with no money and no family to collect the remains? What are the trajectories that lead someone to be buried in a potter’s field, aka county burial grounds? How are people in the unhoused population cared for at the end of life? Are there any bright spots? Listen as we raise important questions about poverty, dignity, remembrance, and how society cares for people at the end of life. As you can imagine, the bubbles we live in shape how we see death.

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I so appreciate the wisdom and writing of Francis Weller. His book The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief has been a touchstone for me, and now this book offers more perspective on grief, aging, sorrow, and “times of uncertainty.” Listen this week as I read Chapter 4 from In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty.

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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Have you ever wondered what a “death doula” does? Doulas offer compassion, guidance, and information to help people better understand their options around the end of life. This week, I talk with Vanessa Johnston, an active doula in Colorado, as she shares “a day in the life of a doula.” How do people find her? At what point do they typically reach out? Why do supportive colleagues matter so much? How does she structure her work and fees? And how does she — as a compassionate companion — recharge and care for herself while working so closely with death and dying?

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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Gail Rubin, author of several books and articles, talks with me about her latest book, 98.6 Mortality Movies to See Before You Die: Remarkable Films and TV Shows to Discuss Death and Plan Ahead. Been looking for some summer movie ideas? This book by the Doyenne of Death and this BLBD episode has you covered!

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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When Mark Burkholder’s wife, Paige, was diagnosed with a very rare, very aggressive form of cancer, what did they do? They dug in, pushed hard, and faced the truth. They knew very quickly that this cancer had a 5-year survival rate of 0%, so they leaned into treatment and living deeply as best they could. After Paige died, Mark began posting videos online about the experience, using photos and videos that they had taken together. His honest, truth-filled, public grieving has struck a chord with folks who are taking in his video essays about grief, cancer, and caregiving. I loved this honest and articulate conversation!

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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Join me and end-of-life doula and author Jane Callahan as we talk about meaningful endings. As she explains, “Because medicine has always been predicated on the idea of fixing, saving, and caring, we began to treat death that way – morphing society's view of death into primarily a medical and physical event, instead of a personal, spiritual, mental, and community-centered experience.”

Jane’s new book, A Death Doula’s Guide to a Meaningful End, explores her experiences both personally and professionally, on how to come to terms with our mortality. What knowledge can help? What free and low-cost resources are out there?

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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In this episode, I talk with longtime funeral professional Bob Arrington. We explore body disposition, funerals, celebrations of life, cremation, and more. What does it mean to “pre-plan,” and why does it matter? How do practices around caring for the dead vary across regions and over time? As Bob says, “We take the time to educate—and the most important time to do that is ahead of time.” Tune in to hear his perspective on how thoughtful conversations in advance can make everything go more smoothly.

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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One of my favorites episodes is with Susan Elliott, End of Life Coach and Doula. Susan talks candidly about her mother’s death, and about all that hospice had to offer… but also what was missing. After her mother’s death, Susan became a doula, and felt that there was so much that could have been added to the experience, for her, for her mother, and for all their family and community.

What’s missing in our experiences of end of life? How might we be supported in bringing more to these difficult times? Why do we know so little about what’s missing? Listen and see if any of it applies to your experience. What might you do differently next time, if you could?

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
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This week – more about Medical Aid in Dying. The advocacy organization called End of Life Options Colorado and Dr Barbara Morris are all about education and access, for patients, families and physicians. If someone gets a sudden and terrible diagnosis, how can families quickly learn more? When is someone like Dr Barbara Morris called in? What role does End of Life Options Colorado play? The bottom line: if appropriate, Dr Morris can help get things done, and listening to these two weeks of BLBD will help you be informed.

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
Follow us on our social channels to receive pertinent and helpful resources on death, grieving, and more at:
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Everyone I meet has questions about Medical Aid in Dying. What is it? Where is it legal? Who chooses this and why? What are the requirements for eligibility? Join me and Dr Barbara Morris to learn more, bust some myths, and come away with a better understanding of what this end of life option is and what it isn’t. Time to get curious!

For more information on Best Life Best Death please visit our website at ⁠⁠www.bestlifebestdeath.com⁠⁠
Follow us on our social channels to receive pertinent and helpful resources on death, grieving, and more at:
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