Thrive with Cate Stillman Podcast

Death Midwife: The Return of Agency to those who want to Die


Listen Later

In this powerful episode of Thrive with Cate, host Cate Stillman is joined by Becca Nelson, a practicing death doula, and Andrea Murphy, a licensed funeral director and spiritual caregiver, to discuss the often-avoided topic of death. Together, they explore what it means to consciously midwife death, reclaim agency and ritual, and create a meaningful dying process. Drawing on personal stories, professional experience, and cultural insights, the episode invites listeners to reimagine the end of life with grace and awareness. What You’ll Get Out of Tuning In 

The parallels between birth and death—and how midwifery practices inform end-of-life care.

What voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED) is, and how it can offer agency in dying.

Why modern consumer culture has stripped death of meaning and how to reclaim ritual.

How yoga, meditation, and primal habits help prepare for a good death.

Creating death literacy through conversation, community, and threshold choirs.

 

Highlights

Agency in Death: Cate and Becca reflect on how institutional systems often disempower the dying and how families can reclaim decision-making power.

Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED): Andrea shares a compelling firsthand account of supporting someone through a conscious, drug-free death.

Cultural Loss and Communal Rituals: The conversation delves into how consumerism has displaced community-based death rituals and the power of reviving those traditions.

Preparation Through Practice: From fasting and yoga to breathwork and ceremony, guests highlight how spiritual and physical practices can prepare us for death.

Notable Quotes 

 

"When we come together to support someone, a field of energy opens up that allows for deep inner shifts." – Cate Stillman

"She was one hundred percent present at the moment of her dying—and that blew my mind." – Andrea Murphy on witnessing a conscious death

"We've been conditioned to deny death. And when systems take over, they often rob us—and the dying—of agency and ritual." – Becca Nelson

"In our dying, we teach others how death can be." – Andrea Murphy

 

Cate Stillman: Website: https://catestillman.com/

Facebook: /cate.stillman

Instagram: /yogahealer

Yogahealer: https://yogahealer.com/

ClubThrive.Global: https://clubthrive.global/

Wellness Pro Academy: https://wellnesspro.academy/

 

Author of: PRIMAL HABITS: https://amzn.to/3OvfPOx Uninflamed: https://amzn.to/3UUBgJ2 Body Thrive: https://amzn.to/3udNFR0 Master of YOU: https://amzn.to/3OlfoGn

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Thrive with Cate Stillman PodcastBy Cate Stillman

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

49 ratings


More shows like Thrive with Cate Stillman Podcast

View all
Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

1,836 Listeners

Intuitive Astrology with Molly McCord by Intuitive Astrology with Molly McCord

Intuitive Astrology with Molly McCord

750 Listeners

The Ultimate Health Podcast by Jesse Chappus

The Ultimate Health Podcast

1,560 Listeners

Wise Traditions by Weston A. Price Foundation w/ Hilda Labrada Gore

Wise Traditions

2,266 Listeners

Yogaland Podcast by Andrea Ferretti

Yogaland Podcast

1,248 Listeners

The Marie Forleo Podcast by Marie Forleo

The Marie Forleo Podcast

1,672 Listeners

Highest Self Podcast® by Sahara Rose

Highest Self Podcast®

5,704 Listeners

Wellness Pro Podcast with Cate Stillman by Cate Stillman, Yoga Health Coaches

Wellness Pro Podcast with Cate Stillman

23 Listeners

Medicine Stories by Amber M Hill

Medicine Stories

1,261 Listeners

Commune with Jeff Krasno by Commune

Commune with Jeff Krasno

607 Listeners

WITH LOVE, DANIELLE by Danielle LaPorte

WITH LOVE, DANIELLE

659 Listeners

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy by Dr. Mindy Pelz

The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy

1,330 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,271 Listeners

Man in America Podcast by Man in America

Man in America Podcast

477 Listeners

Reclamation Radio with Kelly Brogan MD by Kelly Brogan MD

Reclamation Radio with Kelly Brogan MD

405 Listeners