Send us a Text Message. I'm learning that I keep learning everyday. I'm sharing some of that learning today and hope to inspire you all to grab learning where you can get it. I learn professionally, of course. In my life and relationships, I appreciate the opportunities to learn because, positive or negative, there are nuggets for me to take into n…

Send us a Text Message. Here are some facts that I consider to be important reminders that we have work to do before we die. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this…

Send us a Text Message. Dr. Mandar Kataria thinks so, and many professionals agree. In the grief space, being able to find my laugh again was a big step forward to healing. Recently in a webinar, a doula mentioned laughter yoga. I marked that in my notes. I looked it up and signed up for an online class. How was it? Listen in... https://laughteryog…

Send us a Text Message. Susan is a woman you won't forget. Here's her story....BUT THERE IS A WARNING: Adult topics like suicide are mentioned. Please call 988 if you or someone you share this with may be struggling and want to speak with someone who can help. This episode has so many nuggets I don't want you to miss any of them. Here is a list of …

Send us a Text Message. I found this piece and wanted to share it with you all. Many of us are familiar with the stages of grief Dr. Kubler Ross established for terminally ill patients. What you'll hear in this episode may validate some feelings around grief. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhe…

Send us a Text Message. Standby for tears today. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to me if you want the score. The logo artwork was provided …

Send us a Text Message. This won't be a deep dive into tissue and organ donation, more like a comparison to whole body donation. I have also included some facts that I believe are important and crucial to anyone considering this method of body disposition. Important links are included below: Eye donation: https://www.eyedonation.org/ https://donate…

Send us a Text Message. Yes! I hadn't considered this as a green option for body disposition, but it checks the boxes so far as I have learned. https://www.ohsu.edu/body-donation Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, pr…

Send us a Text Message. There are companies turning our loved ones' bodies into soil. Check it out. https://earthfuneral.com https://recompose.life https://returnhome.com Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced a…

Send us a Text Message. Many people I speak to have asked me about the idea of a body becoming a tree. Pretty cool concept since our collective conscience is becoming aware of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants. Maybe this is the answer! Not so fast.... The designers of a body becoming a tree: Capsula Mundi https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/ https:…

Send us a Text Message. How many times have we said that? How many times have we said that and still didn't do something? How many times did we miss our chance to reach out - forever? That can be a heavy thought to have in your brain. The heaviness can lead to action: to not miss out on moments when the image of someone you are missing pops into yo…

Send us a Text Message. Let's start talking green burial. First off, you may want to find a cemetery that follows green practices. The best way to find that is to look at the Green Burial Council website. Their directory lists certified cemeteries by their criteria, by state. https://greenburialcouncil.org/cemeteries.html Listen and read my blog: h…

Send us a Text Message. April 16 is the day! You can complete an Advance Directive and Power of Attorney for Healthcare any day, but why not take advantage of this national day? Look for an event near you. I am planning an event in my area and I am so excited to see how many folks will attend to learn more about this important task. https://prepare…

Send us a Text Message. Garrick is a self-described gamer. He owns an escape room in Richland, WA, called PerplEXIT. We met at a Death Cafe and have had some one-on-one discussions as well. What could a gamer add to the death conversation? Plenty, and you have to listen to get the nuance of the relationship. --Listen for two topics: Gear Fear and A…

Send us a Text Message. We've covered active listening, starting conversations with those who need to share, and how to keep from shutting down conversation by turning the attention to ourselves. We want to be good listeners and display care for those folks speaking to us, but, when do We get to speak and share? Listen and read my blog: https://whi…

Send us a Text Message. Created for people to have a somewhat more comprehensive advance directive, the Five Wishes form includes the elements of the advance directive, the health care power of attorney, a wallet card, and space to fill out special instructions. Take a listen... Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at ka…

Send us a Text Message. Now that you've thought about who will speak and advocate for you should you be unable to speak for yourself, what will you include in your Advance Directive? This can be an emotional and difficult process. It's not a one-and-done document. You can and should review your AD when you have a new diagnosis or if you've learned …

Send us a Text Message. So, you've decided you want to ask someone to be your healthcare proxy, agent, or POA for healthcare. Have you considered them carefully, to make sure they are the best choice? Have you chosen alternates? Listen in to find out what considerations you should make in choosing your healthcare proxy, agent, or POA. Each state ha…

Send us a Text Message. Maybe Valentine's Day (or the day after) is as good a day as any to designate your health care proxy, or at least have a conversation with whom you'd want to advocate for you should you become unresponsive, or for whatever reason unable to communicate. Learn about the Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare: listen in. List…

Send us a Text Message. This is what I would consider to be a foundational question you'll want to ask yourself as you consider your end of life. You have options. You'll want your loved ones to know your choices: Your ideal choice, the adequate choice, and the acceptable choice, based on finances and support system. You can also choose not to choo…

Send us a Text Message. Let's dig in and talk about the really tough topics. We've learned about thanatology, conversation, why to have one, and how to be a good listener. But what is it we're supposed to talk about? Unless we address our own dying and death and how we would like our end of life to be, how can we talk about it with those folks who …

Send us a Text Message. I've been thinking about this episode for a while now, and my encounter with a stranger was what I needed to record and bring it to you. Four letters: how can four letters make up a word that carries so much power? Sometimes, this word is THE BEST word for the job. I can't deny it. Listen and read my blog: https://whileweres…

Send us a Text Message. It sure can! We bought our son a deck of conversation starters when he was visiting over Christmas and it was fun going through some of the topics, which were light and fun. Since this show is about dying and death and having conversations about end of life, I present you with the End of Life Deck. This comes from the makers…

Send us a Text Message. We all go through tough times and sometimes situations seem insurmountable. Loving one another in a way they feel loved can be such a beautiful gift. If you can receive love in this way as well, that really tough situation may just seem a little less daunting. Taking advantage of the moment of sunshine, a warm smile, or some…

Send us a Text Message. We sure had a great time together for my last interview of 2023. These women are charming, smart, thoughtful, and just a treat to have on the show. I hope you enjoy the final question of the interview. Lots more in store for 2024. Stay tuned. Podcast mentioned: Terrible, Thanks for Asking - https://ttfa.org End of LIfe Deck …

Send us a Text Message. I met these two women, Sarah and Shanel, over the summer at a Death Café. While we both host/ed Death Café, their vibe is different than when I hosted. It reminds me that each person has a unique perspective to share with the world. They bring that vibe into the show, and I know you'll feel it as we talk together. Bonus: To …

Send us a Text Message. I'm angry and now I feel guilty for that, because you're gone--forever. Is it wrong for me to be angry? https://bookshop.org/p/books/first-wives-club-olivia-goldsmith/8880458?aid=88272&ean=9781416562832&listref=the-book-is-probably-better-than-the-movie https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116313/ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt75463…

Send us a Text Message. Candy Chang was in deep grief, feeling so heavy and alone. She got an idea and now it's a global movement. Check it out. Beforeidieproject.com Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and p…

Send us a Text Message. Our old family roles can resume when we gather, even though we live our present personal lives differently. Do I want to behave like I did when I was a kid, or teenager, or young adult when I'm with my parents, siblings and cousins? No. Do I want to behave as the adult I am today? Yes! I'd like to say I showed up as the adul…

Send us a Text Message. I once again am rearranging my recording space/office/guest room in anticipation of a visit from my son. In doing this I came across a special memento I had set aside a few months back to share with you all. Since it popped out at me again I figured now would be good a time to share it. Dave was a high school friend. I atten…

Send us a Text Message. I haven't done this well in my younger years, but I strive to improve as I age. I will be the elderly family member one day, sitting in a corner, not engaging with the others. I don't want to become resentful and cranky. I want my family to know that I still have value. How can I begin the shift? Listen and read my blog: htt…

Send us a Text Message. I'll explain this movement to help family caregivers and be the 'eyes and ears' for Hospice. I have tremendous respect for Hospice. They helped me and taught my family and me so much when our parents were dying. I presently am a Hospice volunteer. What Hospice nurses do day in and day out, all through the night, and so much …

Send us a Text Message. I wouldn't call myself a hypocrite if you asked me, but something happened today to make me realize, I just might be a hypocrite. I bring you this episode, unplanned, based on events of the morning. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the …

Send us a Text Message. When you get that melancholy feeling, grief you can't shake, or wrapped in fond memories, wishing you could express everything you're feeling in that moment? What if you could make a call, into the wind, your message of love and sadness being carried off to your loved one? Listen in to learn about windphone. https:/www.mywin…

Send us a Text Message. When we are working on a project with many players or tasks, we "close the loop", or 'tie up loose ends". We don't want any part undone or people left uninformed. But if we were to die in the middle of a project, what then? If you're a crafter you likely are juggling many projects at once. What if you become ill or disabled …

Send us a Text Message. Any minute, we could be dead. Someone we love could be gone. We do not know get to know the time of our death. Dr. Ira Byock wrote "The Four Things That Matter Most: A Book About Living". He found through his years as an emergency physician and Hospice physician that the dying often turn inwards, become softer, and retrace t…

Send us a Text Message. Want more Melissa? Isn't she a great thinker and conversationalist? I couldn't imagine keeping this piece of her from you all. What surprises her and brings her joy? It's the small things. Listen in as we wrap our conversation. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com S…

Send us a Text Message. Boy, oh boy, are you in for a double treat! Melissa is someone I met almost 8 years ago. She moved away for a few years and, independent of one another, we suffered loss and went through sadness. We also grew in our faith and wisdom through wrestling with God, practicing forgiveness, experiencing grief, and so much more. Mel…

Send us a Text Message. I read a social media post awhile back about Grief Groceries. It's not about the food, really, as much as it is about how to show up for those who are gripped with the pain and sorrow of grief. So, what does showing up look like? Take a listen. https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/reviews-commentary/book-review-home…

Send us a Text Message. When physicians diagnose an illness or disease, they use tests, examinations, and check blood markers, etc., to predict the outcome for a patient. Doctors can also predict when a person is likely to die. What??? How is that possible? Are they accurate? Take a listen. You may find yourself living a different tomorrow. Resourc…

Send us a Text Message. I was considering this difference between happiness, which is temporal, and joy, which is a state of mind that can be present even in dark times. How are they different? How would one be able to tell the difference? Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with…

Send us a Text Message. When we are with someone who is suffering from grief we often feel the need to fill every second we're together with words. But what about silence? That can be a balm, much more than talking. We can't "fix" their loss. We can't necessarily cheer up a grieving person. Each stage of our life and our experiences as well as indi…

Send us a Text Message. Destinations can be great. Getting there can be great. When the destination is death, we can sometimes choose the journey. The way we process our emotions can lead to a more peaceful journey to our end of life. To leave nothing unsaid, to let those you love know how much you love them. What is your most precious possession? …

Send us a Text Message. Whitney is a Grief Recovery Specialist who uses the Grief Recovery Method to help people move through grief for themselves as well as be better listeners to those sharing their grief. Whitney herself described wanting to ‘love better’ as a result of participating in the program, then went on to become a Specialist. Whitney m…

Send us a Text Message. When you have lost someone you care about, it's natural to feel sad, lonely, long for their presence, etc. This is a normal part of grief. When your sadness affects your daily life, your work, or the way you interact with others, for a prolonged period, it may be time to check in with yourself to see if your grief has reache…

Send us a Text Message. This episode is about loss and grief. I share some of my losses that I had not considered until venturing into 'what is grief'. Some unexpected items came up for me. So now what? I have some work to do. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, …

Send us a Text Message. Grief is described as deep sorrow. As a human, living on Planet Earth, I would say grief cannot be avoided. Grief comes from loss. We all will suffer loss at some point in our life. End of life planning is not intended to avoid grief; rather, making and discussing your end of life plan helps you to live your life more fully.…

Send us a Text Message. It's been said that animals communicate to us. You've likely had experiences of this communication yourself. When we talk about The Good Death, however, would we think of our pets? As my husband and I made our way through an animal farm, he asked whether the farm actually could be a refuge. Then I wondered whether the animal…

Send us a Text Message. He's not nuts. He misses his daughter. Listen to how he feels connected to her. Listen and read my blog: https://whilewerestillhere.com Reach me at kathy@whilewerestillhere.com Starting with Episode 56, the episode music was added. It was composed, produced and provided by Kyle Bray specifically for this show. Reach out to m…

Send us a Text Message. That elephant I mentioned a few weeks ago? Not only is it in the room: it is roaring! What is forgiveness? Does forgiveness mean that I have to trust the person who violated me? What is my role in forgiveness? What will it get me? You may not want to relive pain in order to forgive. I get it. Forgiveness may be just the thin…