What if talking about death actually helped us live better?

In this episode of Real Women's Work, Jen Keefe sits down with Laura Cleminson, a death doula and founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club, where people gather to talk openly about mortality, dying, and what matters most in life.

Laura's work began after walking alongside her mother through the dying process. That experience opened her eyes to something many of us never learn: we often face death without the language, awareness, or confidence to navigate it.

Instead of avoiding these conversations, Laura helps people explore them together—because, as she says in this episode:

"Every conversation about dying is really a conversation about living."

In this thoughtful and surprisingly hopeful conversation, Jen and Laura explore how becoming more aware of mortality can bring clarity, connection, and compassion into our everyday lives.

In This Episode

• Why Laura believes there is no expert on death
• How her mother's diagnosis changed the course of her life
• What a death doula actually does
• The story behind the Pre-Dead Social Club
• Why talking about dying helps people understand how they want to live
• The importance of asking medical providers "What happens if I do nothing?"
• How community conversations about mortality are helping people support loved ones through end-of-life experiences

A Few Powerful Ideas From This Conversation

"Every conversation about dying is really a conversation about living."

"There is no expert on death."

"If we talk about dying before we need to, we show up differently when it matters."

About Laura Cleminson

Laura Cleminson is an end-of-life doula and the founder of the Pre-Dead Social Club, a growing community where people gather to have open conversations about mortality, dying, and living with greater awareness.

Through community events, conversations, and education, Laura helps people develop what she calls death awareness—the ability to approach mortality with curiosity, clarity, and compassion.

Connect With Laura

Website:

https://www.predeadsocialclub.com

Instagram:

PreDeadSocialClub

About Real Women's Work

Real Women's Work explores the lives, lessons, and perspectives of women doing meaningful work in the world—often work we rarely hear about.

Through honest conversations, host Jen Keefe highlights the many ways women contribute, lead, and shape the world around them.

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