Death. It’s an inevitable part of each of our lives, one of two assurances that unite all of humanity…so why do so many of us have such a hard time talking about it? I personally feel very comfortable exploring the many possibilities of what happens to us after we die; reincarnation, the afterlife, the soul’s journey, but - I’ll be honest - I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the actual dying process here on earth. It is high time to have this important conversation on the podcast and I'm so excited to welcome today's guest, Niagara-based Palliative Care Nurse, Mahoganie Hines who is an expert on the topic. Mahoganie has an enlightening message for all of us; ‘talking about death won’t kill us’, and in today’s episode, she outlines how we can empower ourselves to take action today towards co-creating a ‘good death’ experience for ourselves and our loved ones. I’m so grateful for the advocacy work Mahoganie does for those who are dying and truly value the insights she shared in this episode. 

We chatted about:

-       What a ‘good death’ actually means

-       How to approach a conversation about death with loved ones

-       What palliative care advocacy looks like

-       Different viewpoints on medical assistance in dying 

About Mahoganie:
Mahoganie is an active and ardent member of the community. She volunteers her time to act as the policy and political action executive network officer (PPAN ENO) for both the Niagara chapter and Palliative Care Nursing interest group (PCNIG) of the registered nurses association of Ontario, she sits on the inaugural board as secretary/treasurer for the Canadian Palliative Care Nursing Association (CPCNA), on numerous committees of the Overdose prevention education network of Niagara (OPENN), also volunteering her time at the consumption and treatment site in St. Catharines and referees for Niagara Roller Derby. She currently works as a RN in a casual capacity at Both of the hospices in Niagara and full time as a palliative pain and symptom management consultant (PPSMC) throughout the Niagara Region. When she is not working or volunteering she likes to spend her time with her husband and two dogs.



Links:

·      Mahoganie’s blog: https://dyingdreads.wordpress.com/

·      Mahoganie’s Instagram Accounts: @Nurse_staxx  &  @cascades_of_kindness

·      Find your local Palliative pain and symptom management consultant (PPSMC): http://www.pccnetwork.ca/where-we-are/

·      Speak up Ontario: https://www.speakupontario.ca/

·      Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/senate-maid-bill-third-reaading-pass-1.5917798