NOTE: **Both endings begin the same and diverge about halfway through.** And now, dear listener, we come to a crossroads. For our final episode, we invite you to choose your own ending. If you are rooting for Dolores and Howard to go out on their terms - needing no permission, making no apologies - go to Tape 8, Side A, or Episode 8A, “Rounded with a Sleep.” But if you’re hoping Dolores and Howard will find a way to share their truth - to open up, speak their hearts, and invite their children to understand and support them - stay here on Tape 8, Side B, or Episode 8B, “Brave New World.” | This is Episode 8B, “Brave New World.” | Description: Once more unto the breach. Dolores and Howard set out on their final journey and, in speaking the truth, discover a moment of unexpected beauty before the curtain falls. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

NOTE: **Both endings begin the same and diverge about halfway through.** And now, dear listener, we come to a crossroads. For our final episode, we invite you to choose your own ending. If you are rooting for Dolores and Howard to go out on their terms - needing no permission, making no apologies - go to Tape 8, Side A, or Episode 8A, “Rounded with a Sleep.” But if you’re hoping Dolores and Howard will find a way to share their truth - to open up, speak their hearts, and invite their children to understand and support them - go to Tape 8, Side B, or Episode 8B, “Brave New World.” | This is Episode 8A, “Rounded with a Sleep.” | Description: All the world's a stage, but Dolores refuses to play the part. When all seems lost, Dolores clings to one final cue. Together, she and Howard attempt their boldest scene yet - a curtain call no one saw coming. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Finally. It’s time. And not a minute too late. Or maybe it is? Will Dolores and Howard be foiled again? Still, the kids need an answer about a nursing home, so our persistent protagonists make a break for it. In a minivan. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Dolores and Howard put their next plan into motion. But first, they need to get organized. Clear out the clutter and get the dog into a good, loving home. A feat that seems easy enough… Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning. 

This is it. The hour is nigh. Dolores and Howard make their move, but an unexpected visitor threatens to derail their carefully crafted goodbye. As Tamika reveals her secret, the question remains: will anyone hear Dolores and Howard before the curtain falls? Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Dolores and Howard realize that brainstorming ways to go out on your own terms is hard work. It also requires some imagination…and perchance, a little luck from Mother Nature. An annual family trip to a water park proves to be chaotic and isolating. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Another tour of a retirement home facility pushes Dolores to face the future. Howard hopes the stars will align, but after a terrifying memory lapse episode with Dolores, he admits the fault may lie closer to home. They may have also accidentally adopted a dog. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

More talk of retirement communities and forced downsizing sets a strangely troublesome scene for Dolores and Howard. Can there be dignity in death? Tamika has a secret of her own. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Dolores and Howard set the stage for their last scene of all after another unsatisfying tour of a “nursing home” (or retirement community, depending on who you talk to) and a confirmation that Howard’s health is in its last act. Featuring the voices of: Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde. Created by award-winning artists: Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions. Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death. Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast Subscribe now because the end is just the beginning.

Kicking the Bucket is a new fiction podcast premiering July 2, 2025. It’s about aging, caregiving, and end-of-life autonomy. With eight richly sound-designed episodes featuring a stellar cast aged 34 to a well-seasoned 92, this audio dramedy is a TV series for your ears. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you get to choose how the story ends.

Featuring the voices of:

Mimi Strum, Richard Gartner, Kendra L. Franklin, Mical Trejo, Kelli Bland, Chiara McCarty, Ivy Le, Dana Wing Lau, Vivian Glazier, Cynthia Preston, and Shaun Conde.

Created by award-winning artists:

Andee Kinzy, Dana Wing Lau, Marisa Ewing & Melissa Pons of Hemlock Creek Productions, Chiara McCarty, Chloé Carcamo, and Kevin Chin of Northshore Media Productions.

Themes include: Alzheimer’s, cancer, and death.

Learn more: improvedarts.org/kickingthebucketpodcast

Subscribe now and mark your calendar for July 2.

Because the end is just the beginning.