What if the way we fear death is actually what makes it harder?

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Hospice Nurse Penny to talk about what really happens at the end of life, the moments most people never see, and the truths that change how we think about dying. Penny shares her journey into hospice later in life, how her own fear of death led her to this work, and why caring for dying people became some of the most meaningful work she’s ever done.

They explore deathbed experiences, the signs people show when they know they’re dying, and why many loved ones pass when family step out of the room. Penny explains how open conversations around death can ease anxiety, bring peace, and help people live more fully long before the end arrives. These are stories that are honest, emotional, and deeply human.

The conversation also dives into how Penny took hospice education online, why one story went viral, and how social media has become a powerful way to normalize death for millions of people. Together, Jennifer and Penny talk about authenticity, trust, misinformation, and why talking about death openly may be one of the most important conversations we’re avoiding.

Tune in to hear the stories we rarely say out loud, and why understanding death might actually help us live better.

Key Topics:

-Finding purpose through caring for the dying

-Losing fear by facing death honestly

-What people reveal at the end of life

-Trust, truth, and authenticity in sharing death stories

-Why talking about death helps us live more fully

Quotes from the episode:

“Talking about death doesn’t make it happen, but avoiding it doesn’t stop it either.”

-Hospice Nurse Penny

“The more we talk about death, the more normal it becomes.”

-Jennifer Muldowney

Timestamp:

[00:00] Podcast Intro

[00:22] Hospice Nurse Penny opens up about finding hospice work later in life, the personal turning points that led her there, and how caring for the dying gave her work lasting meaning beyond a traditional career.

[07:59] Through shared stories of loss and bedside moments, Penny and Jennifer reflect on how direct exposure to dying reshaped their understanding of what comes after and reduced fear around death.

[19:09] Penny explains how the pandemic pushed her to share hospice experiences online, how one story changed her reach overnight, and why each platform serves a different kind of connection.

[28:18] The conversation closes on why authenticity matters more than saturation, how trust is built through honesty, and the responsibility of speaking clearly when discussing death in public spaces.

[39:01] Outro

Connect with Hospice Nurse Penny:

Instagram: @hospicenursepenny

Website: hospicenursepenny.com

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