Michael Hebb is an artist, activist, restaurateur, long time friend of mine and probably the closest thing that comes to an expert on death. He is a hyphenated renegade, seemingly more comfortable swimming upstream and addressing taboo subjects than he is going with the crowd. He co-founded Portland’s unsanctioned underground food movement, was my co-conspirator for Songs for Eating and Drinking, and he recently wrote a powerful book about death that will change the way you view life.

Let’s Talk About Death (Over Dinner) is a tactical guide for having the most important conversations with yourself and your loved ones about what you want when you die, but more importantly what you want out of life. This book and this conversation is about tapping into the human experience to help you live a more fulfilled and creative life. Thinking and talking about death will make you laugh more, bring you perspective and clarity onto your life, and will bring you closer to those around you. 

You'll also be glad to know,

• You can do whatever your craft is with whatever supplies, tools, and environment at your disposal. Michael didn’t even have a commercial kitchen (or the FDA’s approval) when he started Family Supper. Don’t focus on what you don’t have; focus on the thing/experience/art/outcome you want to create. Start by starting.
• We need to talk about death. The taboo and repression around talking about death is causing us financial, emotional and even physical problems as individuals and as a society. Check out deathoverdinner.org if you need a little help talking about death with your loved ones.
• Death puts life into perspective. There are no experts on death. Nobody knows what happens after you die. What we do know is that death is a human experience and we will all face it eventually. What happens between now and then is something you can (and should) plan. Let death help guide how you live your life.

Enjoy!

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