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What if the skills we use to support someone through grief could also help us navigate conflict, disagreement, and division? 

In this episode of Comforting Closure: Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Liz Vogel, Executive Director of New Pluralists, to discuss the connection between grief, empathy, identity, and human connection. 

Drawing from her work in Pluralism and her training as an end-of-life doula, Liz shares how the practices of presence, curiosity, deep listening, and honoring another person's experience can help us build stronger relationships, even with people who see the world very differently than we do. 

Together, Traci and Liz discuss why grief is one of the few universal human experiences, how unattended grief can turn into grievance, and what end-of-life care can teach us about connecting across differences while people are still alive. 

 In this conversation, you'll learn:  

• What Pluralism is and why it matters today 

• How grief can help us build empathy and understanding 

• Why relationships matter more than politics, money, or status at the end of life 

• Practical communication skills for navigating difficult conversations 

• How curiosity can strengthen connection across differences 

• The role grief plays in community, belonging, and social healing 

• Why presence may be one of the most important skills we can practice 

 Whether you're a caregiver, healthcare professional, death doula, grief supporter, community leader, or simply someone trying to better understand the people around you, this conversation offers practical insights and hopeful perspectives for living and relating more intentionally. 

 Links/Resources 

• New Pluralists https://www.newpluralists.org 
• Comforting Closure - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• The Dinner Party - https://www.thedinnerparty.org 
• People's Supper - https://www.wearetrustlabs.org/#resources 
• Resetting the Table - https://www.resettingthetable.org 
• INELDA (International End of Life Doula Association) - https://www.inelda.org 
• Anderson Cooper's "All There Is" Podcast - https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/all-there-is-with-anderson-cooper 

What stood out to you most from this conversation? 

Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you found this episode helpful, please like, share, and subscribe. Your support helps normalize conversations around aging, death, grief, and the human experiences that connect us all. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli discusses one of the most emotional and difficult decisions many older adults and families face: should you age in place or move? 

Joined by Kim Costa, Realtor and author of Live in Your Wheel House, they discuss how decisions around home, independence, caregiving, safety, grief, and community are deeply connected to quality of life as we age. 

Together, they talk about the fear many people feel about leaving the familiar, the reality of caregiving inside the home, and what can happen when these conversations are delayed until crisis hits. They also explore practical ways to evaluate whether a home still supports someone’s physical, emotional, social, and financial needs. 

Topics discussed include: 

• Aging in place vs moving into a residential community  
• Fear of losing independence  
• How adult children can support aging parents  
• Signs a home may no longer be safe or sustainable  
• Caregiver overwhelm and deferred home maintenance  
• Community, belonging, and quality of life  
• Financial and health considerations when planning ahead  
• How to approach these conversations before a crisis occurs  

This episode is for older adults, caregivers, adult children, healthcare professionals, death doulas, and anyone navigating aging, caregiving, grief, or major life transitions. 

Links/Resources 

• Kim Costa: https://lifestylefoundations.com 
• Book: Live in Your Wheel House by Kim Costa  
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes. If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with someone navigating aging, caregiving, or housing decisions for themselves or a loved one. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Jared Walker, founder of Dollar For, about the hidden side of medical bills, hospital financial assistance, and why so many patients never hear about the programs that may help them. 

Most people assume that when a medical bill arrives, the number is final. But many hospitals offer charity care and financial assistance programs that patients never hear about. Jared shares how he went from raising money to pay hospital bills to helping families reduce or even eliminate medical debt by accessing programs already built into the healthcare system. 

Together, they discuss how financial stress impacts caregiving, serious illness, and end-of-life care, why so many people avoid treatment because of cost, and what families can do before draining savings or putting bills on credit cards. Jared also explains how to check if you qualify for hospital financial assistance, what to ask for when reviewing a bill, why itemized bills matter, and how patients can negotiate medical bills directly with hospitals. 

Key topics include: 

• Charity care and hospital financial assistance  
• Medical debt and caregiving stress  
• Negotiating hospital bills  
• Itemized bills and billing errors  
• Financial pressure during serious illness  
• What families should know before paying a bill  
• Why patients often do not hear about available programs  
• Practical steps people can take right now  

This conversation is for caregivers, healthcare professionals, end-of-life doulas, patient advocates, and anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the cost of medical care. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest, Jared Walker: Dollar For - https://dollarfor.org 
• Dollar For Hospital Financial Assistance Screener - https://dollarfor.org/help 
• Host, Traci Arieli: Comforting Closure - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

If this conversation helped you better understand medical bills, charity care, or patient advocacy, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. Your support helps normalize conversations around caregiving, serious illness, dying, and grief. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure: Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli welcomes registered nurse, death doula, educator, and Death Doula School founder Kacie Gikonyo for an honest conversation about what death doulas really do and why this work is gaining so much attention. 

Together, they discuss the relationship between hospice and death doulas, the importance of planning ahead, common misconceptions about end-of-life doulas, and why preparing for death can help us live with greater intention. Kacie also shares her journey from nursing to death care, the inspiration behind her upcoming book Laboring Out of Life, and why she believes death is a deeply human experience that deserves more than medical care alone. 

Whether you're a death doula, hospice professional, caregiver, healthcare provider, or someone planning ahead for yourself or a loved one, this conversation offers practical insights and compassionate guidance for navigating the final chapter of life. 

Topics discussed include: 
• What a death doula really does 
• How death doulas and hospice work together 
• Common myths about end-of-life doulas 
• Why advance care planning matters 
• Supporting families before, during, and after a death 
• The importance of quality of life and personal choice 
• Building a sustainable career in death care 
• Kacie's upcoming book, Laboring Out of Life 

Links/Resources 

• Kacie Gikonyo - https://www.deathdoulaschool.com 
• Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• Laboring Out of Life: A Death Doula's Approach to Intentional End-of-Life Care - https://www.wiley.com/en-us/shop/general-introductory-religion-theology/laboring-out-of-life-a-death-doula's-approach-to-intentional-end-of-life-care-p-9781394355730 

If this conversation resonated with you, please like this video, share it with someone who could benefit from it, and subscribe for more thoughtful conversations about aging, caregiving, grief, hospice, and end-of-life care. Every share helps normalize these important conversations. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Christy Bork, National Program Manager at Pet Peace of Mind, for an important conversation about what happens to pets when someone becomes seriously ill, enters hospice, or dies. 

For many people, pets are family. But when end-of-life planning begins, pets are often overlooked. This episode explores the emotional and practical realities families face when there is no clear plan in place for beloved animals. 

Together, Traci and Christy discuss how hospice organizations are helping patients stay connected with their pets through the end of life, how volunteers support both patients and animals, and why planning ahead can reduce anxiety for everyone involved. 

They also talk about: 

• How Pet Peace of Mind partners with hospices across the United States  
• What happens when there is no plan for a pet after death  
• The emotional bond between people and their pets at end of life  
• Practical pet care planning steps people can take today  
• Financial planning for pets after death  
• How doulas, attorneys, healthcare workers, and families can start these conversations earlier  
• The free My Pet Placement Plan resource  

Whether you work in hospice, healthcare, elder care, estate planning, or simply love your animals deeply, this conversation offers practical guidance and compassionate insight into an often-overlooked part of end-of-life planning. 

Links/Resources 

• Pet Peace of Mind - https://www.petpeaceofmind.org  
• Comforting Closure - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  
• My Pet Placement Plan - https://www.petpeaceofmind.org/pet-placement-plan 

Thank you for listening. If this conversation resonates with you, please like, share, comment, and subscribe to help normalize conversations around aging, dying, grief, caregiving, and end-of-life planning. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Andrew Gordon of the Marshall Allen Project to talk about one of the most stressful parts of healthcare that families are rarely prepared for, medical billing. 

When someone is sick, aging, caregiving, or facing end-of-life decisions, the last thing families should have to worry about is fighting confusing bills, navigating insurance denials, or figuring out whether they were overcharged. But for many people, that becomes part of the experience. 

Together, Traci and Andrew talk openly about how the healthcare billing system works, where patients are most vulnerable, and what people can do to better protect themselves and the people they love. 

This conversation covers: 

• Why medical bills are often confusing and difficult to understand  
• The difference between hospital pricing and independent facilities  
• What questions to ask before tests, procedures, or surgeries  
• Why “Never Pay the First Bill” became such an important message  
• What itemized bills, coding errors, and upcoding actually mean 
• How appeals, negotiations, and collections really work  
• When patients should ask for cash pricing, even with insurance 
• How AI tools are helping people fight billing errors and denials  
• Financial assistance programs, charity care, and patient advocacy resources  

Andrew also shares practical steps families can take right now to avoid getting overwhelmed by medical bills and explains why persistence, documentation, and asking questions matter so much in today’s healthcare system. 

This episode is for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone who has ever opened a medical bill and thought, “How am I supposed to figure this out?” 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Andrew Gordon, Marshall Allen Project - https://www.marshallallenproject.org 
• Marshall Allen’s Book: Never Pay the First Bill  
• Fair Health Consumer - https://www.fairhealthconsumer.org 
• Dollar For -  https://dollarfor.org 
• Goodbill - https://www.goodbill.com 
• Claimable - https://www.getclaimable.com 
• Fight Health Insurance - https://www.fighthealthinsurance.com 
• Host: Traci Arieli – https://www.comfortingclosure.com 

If this conversation helped you better understand medical bills, healthcare advocacy, or protecting yourself and your family in the healthcare system, please like, share, comment, and subscribe. Your support helps normalize conversations around illness, caregiving, aging, dying, and grief. 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure – Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli looks at how technology is reshaping the way we remember the people we love. Joined by architect and CEO Alex Josephson, founder of Cumulus, they discuss the shift from physical memorials to digital legacy, and what that means for future generations. 

Together, they discuss the difference between being seen and being truly remembered, the role of design in creating meaningful digital spaces, and how platforms built for connection often fall short when it comes to honoring a life. They also talk about the growing role of AI in legacy, and the ethical questions that come with it. 

Key takeaways include: 

• Why digital legacy is becoming essential as our lives move online  
• The limitations of social media in preserving memory  
• How intentional design can create more meaningful remembrance  
• The emotional and practical impact of building a legacy while still alive  
• How digital memorialization can support grief and connection across generations  

This conversation invites you to think differently about legacy, not as something created at the end of life, but as something you build over time.  

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Alex Josephson - https://www.cumulus.world  
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  

 
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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli speaks with Trish Rux and Jan Booth, nurses, end-of-life doulas, and co-authors of Dying Matters: 8 Conversations That Can Change Your Life. 

Together, they discuss the conversations most families avoid and why those conversations matter more than any document. Drawing from decades of bedside experience, Trish and Jan share ways to talk about end-of-life care, values, comfort, relationships, and what truly matters before a crisis happens. 

Key takeaways include: 

• Why advance directives alone are not enough without conversation  
• How to start end-of-life conversations with family  
• What makes a strong healthcare proxy  
• How to define comfort and quality of life in your own terms  
• Why unresolved relationships often matter more than medical decisions  
• What “community death care” looks like and how to build support before you need it  

This conversation is grounded, practical, and accessible for anyone, whether you are healthy, caregiving, or working in end-of-life care. It will help you move from avoidance to clarity and give you a starting point for conversations that can change how you live. 

Links/Resources 

• Guests: Trish Rux and Jan Booth -  https://www.deathdoulas.com, [email protected]   
• Book: Dying Matters: 8 Conversations That Can Change Your Life - https://deathdoulas.com/dying-matters-book
• Conscious Dying Collective - https://www.consciousdyingcollective.com
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  
• Hospice and palliative care information - https://getpalliativecare.org  
• Caregiving and support resources- https://www.caringbridge.org  

 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes! 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with Dan Fischer, founder of the One Last Wave Project, to talk about grief, connection, and what it means to carry on a relationship with someone you love after they die. 

After losing his father to pancreatic cancer, Dan found himself searching for a way to process his grief. What started as writing his father’s name on a surfboard and paddling into the ocean became something much larger. Today, the One Last Wave Project honors loved ones by carrying their names into the water on handcrafted boards around the world  

In this conversation, Traci and Dan talk about: 

• What grief feels like when you are in it  
• How nature can support emotional healing  
• Continuing bonds and staying connected after someone dies  
• The story behind the One Last Wave Project and how families participate  

This episode offers something many people need but rarely hear. Permission to grieve in their own way, and to find their own path forward. 

Whether you work in end-of-life care or are navigating loss yourself, this conversation brings both personal experience and practical understanding to the grieving. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest:Dan Fischer, One Last Wave Project - https://onelastwaveproject.com/  
• Host: Traci Arieli - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes! 

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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli explores a question more people are beginning to ask: does AI have a place in grief? 

Joined by Traci Gwozdz, grief educator and advisor to Reflekta, this conversation looks at how artificial intelligence is being used to preserve memories, support grief, and maintain connection after loss. Drawing from her own experience of losing both parents and her son, Traci G shares how grief evolves, what it means to integrate loss, and how tools like AI reflections are being used in real life.  

Together, they discuss the emotional and ethical questions surrounding AI in grief, including what these tools can offer, where their limits are, and how to approach them in a way that supports healing rather than avoidance. 

Key takeaways include: 

• What “grief integration” means and why grief doesn’t follow a timeline  
• How AI tools are being used to preserve memories and support connection  
• When someone might be ready, or not ready, to engage with tools like this  
• How to approach new technology in grief with awareness and intention  

This episode is designed to open a conversation. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or somewhere in between, it offers a grounded look at how people are navigating grief in a changing world. 

 Links/Resources 

• Guest: Traci Gwozdz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracigwozdz/  
• Reflekta: https://www.reflekta.ai  
• Host: Traci Arieli's Website - https://www.comfortingclosure.com  
• David Kessler (Grief Educator): https://www.grief.com  

 
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