The Only Guarantee

Do you have a go-to song or movie that helps you in your griefy moments? Maybe even makes you cry harder and just LET.IT.OUT? This week, we (Holly & Kim) dive into the songs, books, and movies that bring the feels for us (and maybe you!), and even help us navigate moments of intense grief. From The Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun' to Joan Didion's 'The Year of Magical Thinking' and the film 'Steel Magnolias', we talk about a variety of media that resonates deeply during times of loss. There's definitely power in music, literature, and movies/TV to help process emotions. What do you turn on or turn to when you need a good sad cry?

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

007. Ever wondered the benefits of writing your own obituary? On this episode, we dive into the emotional and practical benefits of this exercise. We share our experiences with writing obituaries for our passed-on loved ones and the stress that came with. Also, all the things we didn't know about them when we thought we did!

What if we could give our loved ones a head start on the obituaries they will someday need to write for us?

Listen for tips on how to start writing your own obituary and how this practice can lead to more intentional living and a smoother grieving process for your loved ones.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

01:53 The Power of Writing Your Own Obituary

02:30 Personal Experiences with Obituaries

11:43 Guidance on Preparing Your Own Obituary

22:35 Living with Intention

27:26 Organizing Your Final Wishes

27:49 Personalizing Memorial Plans

28:29 Documenting Important Information

31:21 Creating a Motivational Bucket List

32:22 Visualizing Life Goals with 4,000 Weeks Poster

34:17 Reflecting on Weekly Achievements

35:11 The Importance of Writing Your Own Obituary

43:51 Encouraging Young Adults to Plan Ahead

46:07 Sharing and Accountability

49:54 Cherishing Lifelong Friendships

50:52 Conclusion and Resources

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

What should you do when there's the loss of a student in your community? Join us, Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kimberly Rich, as we explore the sensitive and crucial topic of childhood and youth grief, and talk about how schools can better support grieving students. Dr. Rich shares insights from her personal experience on a school board and offers practical strategies for both proactive and reactive grief education within schools.

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

Have you ever heard of a death doula? Wondered what does a death doula do? In this episode, we get into the role of a death doula, the support they provide for the dying and their loved ones, and how they differ from hospice and palliative care. Would you use a death doula?

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

What kind of support are you when someone close to you loses a loved one? Do you know how to really, really be there for someone who is grieving? In this episode, we talk about it; from Holly's perspective as a big-time feeler and sometimes sucky friend, to Kim's take as a legitimate expert who has seen the support coin from both sides (as well as lived it).

After catching up about Holly's sweet pup, Deputy (don't make her cry again), we go deeper on the importance of showing up for those who are grieving, whether through simple gestures, being present, or just listening. We share practical advice on how to support someone going through loss and highlight the importance of understanding individual needs. We also touch on what not to say to a griever, aiming to help listeners be better supporters and companions during difficult times.

00:00 Introduction and Reunion

02:11 Catching Up: Summer Adventures

06:01 A Heartfelt Loss: Remembering a Client

12:32 Deputy's Diagnosis and Final Days

17:38 Grieving a Pet: Personal Reflections

30:49 Supporting a Griever: Personal Experiences

41:32 Supportive Friends During Tough Times

42:24 Understanding Different Reactions to Grief

44:18 The Importance of Showing Up

45:35 Practical Ways to Help a Griever

57:26 Listening and Being Present

01:06:49 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Comforting Grievers

01:11:45 Personal Reflections on Grief Support

01:15:23 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

In this emotional episode that we recorded this spring, we (Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kim Rich) go deep into the tender topic of pet grief. Holly shares her recent experience with her 11-year-old black lab, Deputy, who has been diagnosed with lymphoma. We discuss the initial shock, decision-making process for treatment options, and complexities of preemptive and active grief.

Throughout our conversation, we explore society's discomfort with openly discussing grief, leading to a broader discussion about non-death-related losses, such as loss of financial security, independence, and expected life paths. We encourage listeners to normalize conversations about grief in all its forms.

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

In this episode of The Only Guarantee Podcast, hosts Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kimberly Rich delve into the complex relationship between grief and faith. They discuss their personal experiences of losing faith amidst grief and share insights from notable authors and figures who have faced similar struggles. 

Kim's book recommendations include: 'A Grief Observed' by C.S. Lewis, 'Barking to the Choir' by Father Greg Boyle, and 'As Long as You Need' by J.S. Park. 

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

Introducing The Only Guarantee Podcast: Navigating Grief and Mortality with Honesty and Humor.

Join Holly Hutchings, a podcast producer, and Dr. Kimberly Rich, a death doula and grief expert, as they introduce 'The Only Guarantee.' In this episode, they share personal stories, their unexpected meeting at a writing retreat, and their mission to provide an open space for discussing grief, loss, and end-of-life care. With humor and insight, they aim to help listeners navigate these difficult topics, providing support and fostering community.

00:00 Introduction to The Only Guarantee Podcast

01:22 Meet Holly Hutchings: The Eternal Overthinker

02:38 Holly's Journey: From Mormonism to Buddhism

10:37 Kimberly Rich: From Education to End-of-Life Care

13:00 Navigating Grief and Bereavement

30:02 The Birth of the Podcast Partnership

33:58 The Retreat Experience

34:43 Applying to be a Speaker

37:54 The Pitch Process

39:08 Delivering the Talk

42:32 Audience Reactions

55:20 Opportunities and Connections

57:59 Meeting Holly

01:01:28 Launching the Podcast

01:05:46 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com

Meet Dr. Kimberly Rich: A Journey into Death and Grief Work

In this episode of The Only Guarantee podcast, co-hosts Holly Hutchings and Dr. Kimberly Rich dive deep into Dr. Rich's story. As a death doula and grief expert, Dr. Rich shares her personal and professional journey, including the loss of her mother and how it propelled her into the field of death and bereavement. They discuss the unique aspects of her work, the importance of engaging with and educating about death from a young age, and how she uses humor to navigate difficult conversations. This episode offers insight into the practicalities of death preparation, her doctoral research, and the emotional chaos of grieving.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:28 Meet Dr. Kimberly Rich

02:17 The Importance of Trust in Grief Conversations

04:18 Kimberly's Journey to Becoming a Death Doula

05:37 The Impact of Personal Loss on Career Path

08:41 Challenges and Frustrations with Bereavement Policies

14:52 Defending the Dissertation

21:58 Realizing a Lifelong Connection to Grief

28:05 Discovering the Role of a Death Doula

31:06 The Journey to Becoming a Death Doula

31:38 End of Life Care: Creating Comfort

35:29 Planning Your Own Funeral

38:21 Grief Work and Community Support

49:33 Building a Community Around Grief

53:45 The Importance of Talking About Death

59:17 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts

Email us about anything death, grief, or bird related - [email protected]

Find us on Instagram @TheOnlyGuaranteePodcast

You can reach Dr. Kimberly Rich about speaking, writing, or generally death-supporting at tomorrowmourningllc.com