We're All Going To Die, Anyway

A message from Jess:

"Hello and thank you so much for listening and watching our first season of 'We're All Going To Die, Anyway.'

Exploring the topics of life, death, and living a Good Life you make on your own terms has been nothing short of transformational for me. And I hope for you, too.

In this episode I wanted to recap this incredible season and the guests that so beautifully came on to share their stories filled with vulnerability, wisdom and love. Many of them were dear friends that I was happy to share with you. Some of them were strangers at first and have now definitely become part of my soul-family.

During this show, most of which was filmed during Covid-19, I experienced some of the most harrowing losses in my life, including the death of two beloved cats and, most painfully, the passing of my mother-in-law and brother-in-law, both due to complications from COVID-19. These conversations ranging from grief to joy have only helped to solidify why I set out on this journey in the first place. We're all going to die anyway, so why not choose to live an urgent, beautiful, curious life….a Good Life...right now.

And because of YOU, we have created a group called the Good Life Community -- sign up here - www.jessweiner.com. I am going to be offering workshops and courses on what it means to live a Good Life and I'd love for you to join me!

Thank you for your support.

In this last interview of the season, Jess sits down with Catherine Zinger -- the older sister of Jess's friend Myra, who was her inspiration for doing this show.

If Jess's brief yet life-changing relationship with Myra helped launch this series, then Catherine serves as its future. These two women began their relationship at a most unique time: while Myra was dying. And both regard their encounter as divinely orchestrated, for they now remain forever tied together in love, hope, and gratitude.

Jess and Catherine quickly delve into their own perspectives on Myra's last few weeks, particularly through the lens of grace and heartbreak, reflecting on their personal relationships with Myra, their reactions to the devastating news of her terminal illness, and the resulting love, compassion, and gratitude that sprang between their families.

IG: @catherine.zinger

TW: @catherinezinger

In this episode, Jess speaks with Michael Hebb, founder of "Death Over Dinner" and the "End of Life Collective." The groundbreaking work of both of these organizations in helping to normalize death and dying and democratize resources for end of life support have both served as huge inspirations in Jess's journey to better understand the fragility and urgency of life.

In this interview, Jess and Michael explore how destructive the path of dying has become the last few decades -- particularly in the field of medicine -- where there is often no real connection to end of life needs and rituals. Michael shares wisdom on the beauty of human connection and vulnerability, emphasizes a necessary collective shift in our perspective on dying, and he and Jess both reflect on how our wounds and pain can also provide a path to understanding and healing.

Websites: www.hebb.life

www.eol.community

In this episode, Jess sits down with her longtime friend and executive recruiter, Tammi Ramsey. Their friendship spanning close to 30 years has seen incredible highs and dark lows, like the recent loss of Tammi's younger brother, Phil, to cancer. Tammi's unwavering faith in a higher power has always been a foundational tool for her grounded and positive outlook on the world. Tammi shares how her decision to post about her daily gratitude online every single day for a year while she approached her 50th birthday changed her entire mindset to always look for the good.

In this conversation, Jess and Tammi explore her childhood memories to piece together how she developed and formed a deep spiritual connection and how this faith has been a foundation to her idea of living a Good Life.

In this episode, Jess sits down with Morra Aarons-Mele, a renowned internet marketer and author of Hiding in the Bathroom: A Roadmap to Getting Out There (When You'd Rather Stay Home). Morra has been very open and vocal about her anxiety and depression and how she handles the highs and lows of navigating a mental illness inside of a work culture that values "hustle porn" and success at all costs (or at least the appearance of success!).

In this convo, Jess and Morra talk about creating a Good Life that includes developing a relationship with your anxiety, boldly and vulnerably sharing your truth so that others are unburdened to share their own, and normalizing the everyday presence of mental illness even and especially with high functioning successful people.

FB: www.facebook.com/WomenOnline

Twitter: @morraam

In this episode shot on location in Brooklyn, NY, Jess sits down with journalist and "Gen-Z whisperer" Taylor Trudon. Known for her savvy awareness of teens and youth culture, Taylor also provides an insightful and vulnerable account of her own personal challenges and successes, discussing her plights as an "overachiever," the fallbacks of finding your identity through work, and learning to fight toxic perfectionism.

Throughout their conversation, Jess and Taylor reflect on the importance of vulnerability, the fact that not all dreams were meant to come true, and that we can always use our past experiences to support and engage with those who are younger than us. Taylor's version of a Good Life includes weekly doses of therapy, an urgency to share her own stories, and a reminder that done is better than perfect.

Twitter + IG: @TaylorTrudon

In this episode, Jess sits down with two phenomenal young women, Taylor Richardson and Khloe Thompson. At just 17-years-old, Taylor is a STEM and girls' empowerment advocate who's led literacy and fundraising campaigns to inspire other girls of color to go after their dreams -- especially in the science and tech fields. Khloe is the 13-year-old founder of "Khloe Kares," a charity committed to providing handmade bags to homeless women and men on the streets in her community.

In a truly inspiring conversation, Jess, Taylor, and Khloe discuss what led them to care about activism at such a young age, how they are learning to redefine the way they lead by creating community connection and how the legacies they wish to leave in the world will inspire other kids to take action in their everyday lives - now! These bright young activists remind us that a quest for social change can start at any age, and when you seek a world where people have equal access and opportunity -- everyone can enjoy a Good Life.

Twitter: @Astrostarbright + @khloekares

IG: @astronautstarbright + @khloekares

In this episode, Jess sits down for a deeply spiritual conversation with Derek and Sophia Luke. You may know Derek for his performances in "Antwone Fisher," "Friday Night Lights," and "13 Reasons Why," but Derek and his wife Sophia have also dedicated their lives to empowering families, working with underserved and incarcerated youth, and championing STEAM education.

Although they were strangers before this podcast, Jess, Derek, and Sophia quickly bond over their shared vision of changing the media industry to tell more inclusive stories and how their version of The Good Life involves purpose, service and helping the next generation see themselves in the media they consume.

IG: @DerekLuke + @SophiaAdella

Twitter: @DerekLuke

In this episode, Jess sits down with actor, producer, and activist Monique Coleman, who is best known for playing 'Taylor Mckessie' in Disney's "High School Musical" franchise. Monique reveals a story she doesn't usually share publicly about a traumatic accident she had as a child and how that introduced her to the concept of mortality at an early age.

Jess and Monique talk about their recoveries from traumatic experiences and how facing their pain helps them heal and face loss. Now decades later, Monique has dedicated her life to a path of self-discovery with the intention of uplifting women and girls around the world along with her. This conversation really dives into how building The Good Life using strength, fortitude, and self-compassion can be more valuable than any amount of fame or fortune.

IG: @_moniquecoleman + IG: @gimmemoyouth

TW: @gimmemotalk

Books mentioned:

"Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer

"The Body Keeps Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk

In this episode, shot on location in Los Angeles during the "It's Our Turn Young Women's Conference," Jess sits down for a hilarious, energizing, and inspiring interview with her former mentee, Berna Anat.

Now known to the world as a Financial Hype Woman, Berna is helping young people (and specifically People of Color) better understand their finances, budgeting, and how to ultimately create generational wealth. As a daughter of Filipino immigrants, talking about money was off limits in Berna's house. Now she's helping to demystify financial literacy for a new generation.

In fact, Berna shares the story about how she and her partner, Peter, quit their jobs, paid off student debt, and traveled around the world for a year all on a budget. We often believe we can't live The Good Life until we are rich, but this conversation will help reshape the way we think about what we value, from money, to love, to living life on our own terms (debt free!).

Twitter + IG: @HeyBerna

Website: www.heyberna.com

YouTube: youtube.com/HeyBerna