I’ve been a fan of today’s guest for a long time so I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Dr. BJ Miller with you today. BJ is a longtime hospice and palliative medicine physician and educator. He has worked in all settings of care: hospital, clinic, residential facility, and home. Led by his own experiences as a patient, BJ advocates for the roles of our senses, community, and presence in designing a better ending.

We began our conversation with the story of how he came to be a patient after a catastrophic injury in his 20’s. Together we explored the challenges of acknowledging grief and humanity in traditional systems of care and why it’s important to grapple with the truth that suffering, illness, and dying are fundamental and intrinsic aspects of life. His warmth and wisdom and insight taught me so much throughout our conversation and I know you’re going to learn so much too.

Mettle Health

BJ's Ted Talk

(03:52) - BJ’s earliest memory of loss

(11:07) - BJ’s injury and loss: How it lead him into palliative medicine

(17:46) - What did palliative care look like when BJ entered that field (and how is it different from hospice)

(25:44) - Notions of enthusiasm and resistance among patient population and fellow doctors

(36:26) - Primary palliative care: How is the pandemic changing the perception around the palliative field?  

(40:06) - How BJ explores suffering to his patients

(49:23) - How did Mettle Health come into existence and how is it helping people?

Thanks to our sponsor Vida Health. Vida – healthcare designed for the body and mind! Visit Vida.com/bcbsil to learn more.

If you love deep, honest, authentic conversations, get ready to love Grief is a Sneaky Bitch. From CEOs and social workers to best-selling authors, educators, filmmakers, and stay-at-home moms, her guests open up about the complexity, confusion, and even confidence they have gained by navigating a grief journey of their own.

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