Welcome back! 

This episode has been one that I recorded back in January and have been sitting on ever since. And why is that, you ask? Life can provide so many distractions it's so easy to slip into the monotony of it all and stay on autopilot. The thought of pulling out my podcast equipment turned into just another thing I had to add to my overgrowing list of things to do and so, I didn't do it. I kept my plane on autopilot and kept going through the motions life. What finally got me to sing a different tune was the book, It's Great to Suck at Something by Karen Rinaldi. Her book gave me the much needed reminder of participating in doing the things that give us JOY, even if we suck at it. So the idea of dusting the cobwebs off of my podcast equipment changed from just another thing to do on the laundry list of life to the heart-fluttering excitement of engaging something that I'm not totally confident in doing but am passionate about doing. The second I put my headphones on and leaned down towards the microphone, I couldn't stop smiling. It was like a gust of fresh air swept over me, breathing life back into the autopilot saying HELLO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME! Ironically, or more likely serendipitously, there were a lot of points in this episode that included the idea of participating and engaging in life. It's what makes us feel most alive! 

This episode I have Kathleen Ponzo join us to talk about her wonderful, fabulous, late husband, Bill Hill. The episode talks through a range of topics such as hospice, advanced directives, funeral planning, Swedish death cleaning, and really about being intentional in how we move through life when we know we're going to die (which, *spoiler*, we will ALL die someday). 

If you feel so inspired after this episode, I encorage you to participate in life today by writing someone a letter, giving them a call, or even simply remember someone you love, whether they've died or are still here today. Let love fill your body and let yourself feel alive. 

Thank you, Kathleen! 

(And if anyone has a connect to the B-52's, HIT A GIRL UP!) 

xoxo 

How do we remember and celebrate our loved ones who are no longer living life beside us? It's a hard reality that one day we will all have to face, yet we can never truly understand the weight of grief until we're going through it. 

What do we do before then? What about after? What do we do in the middle of it all? 

Thank you to my friend, Maddie for sharing her life and love of her dad, Paul, on the Breathing Life into Death podcast. It was so powerful to feel the love between Maddie and her dad throughout our conversation. A strong, everlasting love that I'm grateful to Maddie for sharing! My hope is you feel the love too.  

Together, let's continue sharing stories, continue sharing love, and let life live on. 

Meet my Grandpa John! 

(First things first, this episode has hints, or more like slams, of wind throughout it BUT it does calm down throughout the episode. Sorry in advance!) 

This episode ebbs and flows through my grandpa's childhood memories, the lessons he's learned throughout his life, and how he's gracefully aged to where he is now, a sharp, life-loving 87 year-old man! 

Seeing him gently allow his grief to come to the surface throughout our conversation was so beautiful, it served as an incredible reminder to me that sharing emotions, the good, bad, sad, and more, is truly love in pure form. I felt so honored to have held this special space in this special conversation together. 

Thank you, Grandpa, for sharing your life lessons with us! 

This episode follows along Sara's experience of going through cancer treatment and what friends did and didn't do to help support her throughout the process. She talks about what it was like to be stripped of who she was before cancer and learning how to navigate being a cancer survivor and the changes that come with her new journey. In that new journey Sara talks about the realization of not wanting to wait around for things to happen anymore, and in doing that, how she is creating MAGIC for the world through her incredible company Mighty and Bright. 

Thank you, Sara! 

Sara Olsher | Breast Cancer Survivor and Amazing & Inspiring human 

Website: https://mightyandbright.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightyandbrightco/

Sara's Podcast: Raising Resilience

Welcome, Amanda! 

Amanda served alongside the Law Enforcement of Sonoma County as a Chaplain. The mission of the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy of Sonoma County is 'To respond to requests from Law Enforcement and provide immediate emotional support and follow up care to them and to the members of our community who have suffered tragedy and loss. We are an interfaith community of compassionate volunteers without religious, political, or legal agendas.' 

Amanda shares her story and experience of stepping into people's life when tragedy hits, when they needed support the most. What's her biggest takeaway from her time serving alongside these families? Being there.   

As we head towards Valentines Day, following now a year of isolation, how can we choose to *safely* be there for our friends and families? There's still time to write notes and cards of love! Let's take this time to share our love and appreciation, while also supporting our Postal Service, woo! 

Tag @breathinglifeintodeath on Instagram to show off your beautiful cards, so together, we can help spread the love when the world needs it most. 

Links: 

Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplain Program: https://www.sonomacountychaplains.org/

Breathing Life into Death Instagram: @breathinglifeintodeath

This episode explores the intention behind the Breathing Life into Death podcast. 

What's it all about? 

Books mentioned: Find them (hopefully) at your local bookstore or library! 

No Fear, No Death by Thich Nhat Hanh

The Book of Ceremony by Sandra Ingerman 

Welcome to the Breathing Life into Death podcast! My name is Cassidy and I’m excited to share and explore with you ways we can all Breathe some Life into Death. Because talking about death can be heavy, intimidating, overwhelming, and even for some, avoided at all costs, only having to face it when we’re forced to. But when the topic of death is preemptively a part of the conversation, it can give us a new appreciation for life and how we want to live before we die, it can help alleviate the burden of difficult decision making if and when we become unable to speak for ourselves, and give a voice to the legacy we want to leave behind. Let’s get started! I promise I won’t bore you to death ;)