Shows
Death Becomes HerThe Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, SicilyBeneath the streets of Palermo lies a haunting yet deeply human story—the Capuchin Catacombs, where the dead remain eerily present. In this episode, we step into the dim corridors lined with mummified monks, aristocrats, and children, exploring the motivations behind their unusual burials. What drove people to preserve their bodies in such a dramatic fashion? How did visitors of the past experience this macabre yet sacred space? And what does it reveal about our own desire to be remembered? Join me as we unravel history, confront mortality, and uncover the echoes of those who came before us.2025-03-2328 min
End of Life ConversationsServing Individuals and Families Navigating the End-of-Life with LiElla KellySend us a textLiElla Kelly is a nationally recognized NEDA (National End-of-Life Doula Alliance) Proficient End-of-Life Doula and After-Death Care Educator. She founded Leaving Well, a groundbreaking business that serves individuals and families seeking to navigate end-of-life transitions with grace, dignity, and peace. Her clients understand the importance of planning and wish to approach death with openness and preparedness—those who believe that we can “do death” better.LiElla brings a unique blend of compassionate care and practical expertise to her work. Her role is to ensure that the dying know their options, that their voice...2025-01-1537 min
Death Becomes HerThe Whitechapel ClubIn this episode, LiElla takes a look at the fascinating history of the Whitechapel Club, a late 19th-century group of journalists who embraced gallows humor, irreverence, and a deep fascination with mortality. With their macabre decor and unconventional rituals, the club served as a stark reflection of their time—and perhaps, of ours.Join me as I draw parallels between the Whitechapel Club’s dark approach to death and our modern-day obsession with true crime. What is it about the morbid and the mysterious that captivates us? Prepare for a journey through history and the huma...2024-12-2807 min
Death Becomes HerThe Sin-EatersEver heard of Sin-Eaters? In this fast-paced episode, LiElla dives into the fascinating history of these mysterious figures who were believed to take on the sins of the dead. From the past rituals to preserving legacy today, we'll explore how this tradition connects to the modern role of death doulas – and how, in many ways, we’re still 'eating' the worries of the dying and their loved ones. Get ready to unpack the past and find meaning in the present.2024-10-0512 min
Death Becomes HerMedical CadaversLiElla takes a look at the history of medical cadavers and discusses what you need to consider if you would like to donate your body to science. 2024-04-0424 min
Death Becomes HerThe Cult of MourningOn the latest episode, LiElla takes a look at the excess associated with Victorian mourning rituals and compares them to modern bereavement practices. How do we stack up?2024-01-2516 min
Death Becomes HerKellyLiElla shares a personal story of loss.2024-01-0518 min
Death Becomes HerDeath and The Golden GateLiElla discusses the intertwining history of suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge and the lessons that we can learn from the past.**Content warning for this episode. This podcast episode contains sensitive subject matter discussing suicide, personal experiences, and detailed medical descriptions that aren’t suitable for all audiences.2023-12-0220 min
Death Becomes HerLa Calavera CatrinaWho is this feather-plumed, skeletal woman? Where did she come from? Why is she here? And what does she have in common with Santa Claus?2023-10-3011 min
Death Becomes HerExtreme EmbalmingDid Vladimir Lenin start a trend? Some are choosing a procedure known as Extreme Embalming as a way to honor their loved ones after death, as they were in life. LiElla takes a look at the process and the motivations behind the choice.2023-10-1614 min
Death Becomes HerStrength In Support: Navigating End-of-Life Together"The times, they are a changin.'" Modern life can create challenges when it comes to navigating end-of-life. Death Doulas are working to fill the gaps.2023-10-0209 min
Death Becomes HerRigor MortisLiElla takes a dive into the science of rigor mortis, how funeral homes handle the phenomenon and how it can be managed in the home funeral setting.2023-09-1515 min
Death Becomes HerThe Corpse Queen of PortugalThe tragedy of Pedro and Inez, the iconic first couple of Portugal.2023-08-3012 min
Sing With Your FeetEpisode 60: How to Have Great SexTalking points: celebrating 60 episodes with a top five list; the pursuit of happiness; moments of pleasure; the ideal sex partner.
A great big thank you to Seven Production here in Mulhouse France for the use of the song La Joie as the intro and outro to the show, to Matt Kugler, who whose new album AVENTURA is out on all the digital music platforms now, who sang it and to Claude Ekwe who wrote it.
Links:
LiElla Kelly on Instagram
The Virtue Wheel2023-05-0434 min
Death Becomes HerThe Doula Next DoorLiElla discusses the variety of styles and practices that end-of-life doulas employ. We're not one size fits all.2023-04-2509 min
Death Becomes HerWar In The 11th HourLiElla discusses the stress and strains that we experience as we navigate End-of-Life with our loved ones and strategies to help us move through the tough times with grace.2023-04-1307 min
Death Becomes HerTaphophiliaLiElla shares her "taphophiliac" tendencies as she walks you through her love of cemeteries and how we benefit from strolling graveyards.2023-03-2910 min
Death Becomes HerThreshold ChoirsLiElla explores Threshold Choirs to support end-of-life transitions.2023-02-2514 min
Death Becomes HerReality CheckLet's take a look at what is really involved in body disposition, from traditional burial to human composting. 2023-02-0313 min
Death Becomes HerA Caregiver's Report CardStress can be hard to handle. How can we work through stressful situations while maintaining physical and emotional equilibrium?2023-01-1911 min
Death Becomes HerLadies of DeathThe history of La Calavera Catrina2022-12-2210 min
Death Becomes HerUnusual RequestsEnd of Life wishes that are a smidge unusual.2022-12-0408 min
Death Becomes HerDismissed & DiminishedA look at how we might be guilty of dismissing the grief of others or ourselves. 2022-11-2311 min
Death Becomes HerThe Black BoxSo your loved one has been cremated...now what?2022-11-0812 min
Death Becomes HerChildren & DeathIs being present during the end-of-life period or viewing the body of a dead friend or family member detrimental to young ones? Will it traumatize them?2022-10-2909 min
Death Becomes HerCan I Have A Viking Burial?Is it just a thing of folklore or can you really have a Viking burial?2022-10-1908 min
Death Becomes HerCollateral DamageWhat happens when someone else's grief becomes your pain?2022-10-1010 min
Death Becomes HerI Hereby Declare This To Be My Last Will & TestamentDeathly Paperwork, Part 2: Wills2022-10-0111 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 32: Environment and EcologyTalking Points: “Not on my Green Parenting Bingo Card,” LiElla is back!; Geeking out and going out green.
Episode 32 is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Environment and Ecology." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, on her website and blog, Leaving Well…The Blog. or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaving.well.death.doula/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=leaving%20well%2...2022-09-2936 min
Death Becomes HerAdvance DirectivesLet's talk paperwork! Woohoo!2022-09-2111 min
Death Becomes HerThree ConversationsThree conversations we all need to have and how to get the ball rolling. Recommended reads:I Will Die: A Creative Journal For Mortals by Jessica Featherly https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29061263-i-will-dieIt's Your Funeral!: Plan the Celebration of a Lifetime — Before It's Too Late by Kathy Benjamin https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57479234-it-s-your-funeral?ref=nav2022-08-3109 min
Death Becomes HerSexual BereavementLet's talk about sex...and death. 2022-08-2406 min
Death Becomes HerWriting ObituariesWhat makes a good obituary? Today we’re looking at the good, the great and the ugly.2022-08-1708 min
Death Becomes HerThe Mushroom SuitJae Rhim Lee's Mushroom Suit was a TED Talk sensation. While the science may not have panned out, the project was an inspiration that got people thinking about end of life decisions. 2022-08-1007 min
Death Becomes HerThe History & Process of EmbalmingExploring the history and process of embalming.2022-08-0311 min
Death Becomes HerCuddleCot: An Innovation for Grieving ParentsLiElla discusses an innovation that is giving parents the space and opportunity to grieve and bond with their precious babies.2022-07-2007 min
Death Becomes HerPlans vs WishesDo you have end-of-life plans or wishes?2022-07-1307 min
Death Becomes HerGreen Burial: Back to Our RootsLiElla discusses eco-friendly, cost-effective, green burial.2022-07-0606 min
Sing With Your FeetEpisode 27: Passionately CuriousTalking Points: What is Passion, anyway?; Taking risks and getting out of our comfort zones; Dungeons, Dragons and Death.
Episode 27: Passionately Curious is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Spiritual Life." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, on her website and blog, Leaving Well…The Blog. or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaving.well.death.doula/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q...2022-06-3033 min
Death Becomes HerDeath AnniversariesIs grief pathological? Prolonged Grief Disorder and supporting others through Death Anniversaries.2022-06-2908 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 26: Limits, Boundaries, and Secrets, Oh My!Talking Points: Setting boundaries in relationships; the destructive power of secrets in relationships; investing our resources in relationships does not mean bankrupting ourselves.
Episode 26: is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Spiritual Life." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, on her website and blog, Leaving Well…The Blog. or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaving.well.death.doula/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=leaving%20well%20end-of-life%20planning
You...2022-06-2331 min
Death Becomes HerConfessions of a CaregiverLiElla discusses the challenges of being a caregiver and taking steps to improve your self-care.2022-06-2210 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 25: Anything But RoutineTalking Points: Caregivers need care, too; conquering urges and impulses through habits and routines; building a habit of planning.
Episode 25: Anything But Routine is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Habits and Routines." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
A copy of Poppy Fields’ weekly planner page can be found here: https://lilyfieldschallenge.com/2022/06/17/episode-25-anything-but-routine/
If you are looking for inspiration around developing habits and routines, check out Gretchen Ru...2022-06-1633 min
Death Becomes HerThose Resourceful ParisiansLiElla takes us through the history of the Paris Catacombs and discusses a resourceful burial option available in our culture.2022-06-1508 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 24: You Are What You WearShow Notes
Talking Points: You should really stop shopping; Personal Style and Mental Health; I’ll be greeting the guests at my funeral with a cocktail in hand.
Episode 24: You Are What You Wear is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Personal Style." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Lily’s series, “You Should Really Stop Shopping!” starts here: http://lilyfieldschallenge.com/2021/04/05/you-should-really-stop-shopping-part-one/
Lily’s many-article ode to Mise en Pl...2022-06-0932 min
Death Becomes HerSupporting Grieving ParentsTips to comfort and support parents who have lost a child.2022-06-0808 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 23: You've Got a ChoiceTalking Points: “To do or refrain from doing, that is the question”, bringing the decision into the now, making wise decisions about end-of-life when you are well.
Episode 23: You’ve Got a Choice is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Spiritual Life." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, on her website and blog, Leaving Well…The Blog. or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaving.well.dea...2022-06-0234 min
Death Becomes HerHome FuneralsHome funerals are non-commercial, family-centered funerals that occur when a loved one is cared for at home after death, giving family and their social community time to gather and participate in the care of their loved one.2022-06-0107 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 22: GravitasTalking Points: Gravitas–what is it? What does it look like? How do you get it? Plus, LiElla gives us a concrete exercise in developing Gravitas.
Episode 22: Gravitas is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Spiritual Life." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
The article about learning to develop good posture is here: Good Posture Starts in the Mind
The journal Liella talked about can be found here: I Will Die...2022-05-2628 min
Death Becomes HerMy Ideal DeathCan talking about and thinking about death lead to a better life now? The answer is yes!You can find LiElla Kelly at www.leavingwellmt.com.Shout out to Lily Fields and her work on Sing With Your Feet: The Podcast. Music by RomanBelov from Pixabay2022-05-2505 min
Death Becomes HerTalking About Death Won't Kill YouWelcome to Death Becomes Her, a mini-cast where we're not afraid to talk about death, dying and grief from a variety of angles.You can find LiElla Kelly at www.leavingwellmt.com.Shout out to Lily Fields and her work on Sing With Your Feet: The Podcast.Music by RomanBelov from Pixabay2022-05-2304 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 21: Sex is Like a Box of ChocolatesTalking Points: Sex-Positive Parenting; God, Sex, and the Clitoris; Sexual Bereavement
Episode 21: Sex is Like a Box of Chocolates is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Sexuality." The series began with Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Joan Price Sex After Grief: Navigating Your Sexuality After Losing Your Beloved
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com/ or on Instagram or Facebook
Jay Stringer Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness R...2022-05-1928 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 20: One Theme to Rule Them AllEpisode 20: One Theme to Rule Them All
Talking Points: World Wrestling Entertainment as a metaphor for Spiritual Life; A Divine Early Internet lesson; A Pocket Full of Posies.
This episode is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "Spiritual Life." The series began back in Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Links:
Man sees color for the first time: Man Sees Color For the First Time
Learn more about LiElla Kelly, Death D...2022-05-1229 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 19: Be Your GuestEpisode 19: Be Your Guest is part of our series on the Ideal Life Categories, this week's theme being "A Clean House." The series began with Episode 15: The One About Our Bodies, in case you want to get caught up!
Talking Points: Keeping house is not a project; Why don’t we do this more often?; Be Your Guest; Wicked Cleaning.
Links:
Dana K. White’s work can be found on her website, https://www.aslobcomesclean.com/. Her podcast, A Slob Comes Clean, can be found on all podcast platforms. She is amazing.
Le...2022-05-0531 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 18: Make Your Children ProudTalking Points: The Work of Childhood; Free-Thinkers and Oddballs; Infertility and miscarriage; Supporting a grieving parent.
This week, a slightly stuffed-up Lily and the always fabulous LiElla bring the challenge of living out the Golden Rule to bear on parenting. Whether you are currently a parent, you are struggling to become a parent, or someone you know is a grieving parent, there is something here for you today.
Links:
All Work and No Fun by Jennifer Senior: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/books/review/all-joy-and-no-fun-by-jennifer-senior.html
Janet Lansbury on Elevating Childcare and...2022-04-2830 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 17: Planning for JoyTalking Points: Decision fatigue; Life lessons from a wedding planner; The humble checklist–if it’s good enough for a brain surgeon it’s good enough for me; a wicked “just in case” discussion.
Lily’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCipXE0M_lxUh6l3fUFRAwlA
Virtual Death Café, hosted by LiElla Kelly of Leaving Well End-of-Life Planning will be held on April 30 at 11:00AM MT.
You can also find LiElla on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaving.well.death.doula/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=leaving%20well%20end-of...2022-04-2130 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 14: Know ThyselfTalking Points: To Know, Know, Know You, is to Love Love Love You; Prince Charming visits Wonderland and a philosophical powwow ensues; Curiosity Killed the Cat
If you have a philosophy question that you would like to put to Charming Fields, the Philosopher Prince, he's here for it. Drop a line to Lily, lily@lilyfieldschallenge.com, with "Philosophy Question" in the title. If it's a question that he can answer, I'll see to it that he gets some pod-time to answer it for you!
LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, can be reached via her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on social...2022-03-3132 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 13: A Sparkling LegacyTalking Points: Memento Mori; A Legacy of Maxiskirts and Duct-Tape Bowties; How you use your time is your legacy.
The long version of Lily’s airport heaven fanfiction is in podcast Episode 3: On Heaven and Dinosaur Poop.
LiElla Kelly, Death Doula, can be reached via her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on Instagram: @leaving.well.death.doula. She treats the subject of death with great wisdom and, sometimes even a touch of humor. You would do well to check out her work.
Taken By Trees, Sweet Child O Mine https://www.youtube.com/wa...2022-03-2429 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 12: Closing the CasketContent warning: In this episode, we will be talking about death and funerals, as well as about miscarriage and depression. If you need professional mental health support, no matter what phase of life you are in, please get it.
Talking Points:
Closing the casket and life transitions; miscarriage, or when there is no casket to close; dealing with rage–when there are seasons of your own life on which you need to close the casket.
The Great Bathrobe Refashion of 2021 can be found here: http://lilyfieldschallenge.com/2021/05/18/the-great-2021-bathrobe-refashion/
Check out Li...2022-03-1734 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 11: A Wardrobe StorytellerTalking Points: Mise en Place, Clothes and our mental health, Enclothed Cognition, the Color Purple and what not to wear to a funeral.
Links:
Check out LiElla Kelly, Death Doula on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on Instagram: @leaving.well.death.doula.
Our private Facebook group, You Are Not Done Sparkling Yet (https://www.facebook.com/groups/309886354511956) is available to give you a place to get some encouragement and support as you navigate the pursuit of your Ideal Life.
Links to articles about Enclothed Cognition: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science...2022-03-1030 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 10: La Vie En RoseTalking Points: The Wandering Womb, Plans versus Wishes and La Vie en Rose vs the Ideal Life.
Links:
Sawbones: Hysteria Episode: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/sawbones/sawbones-hysteria/
If you’re curious about Luke Perry and his final wishes, click here: https://www.bbc.com/news/48140812
Check out LiElla Kelly, Death Doula on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on Instagram: @leaving.well.death.doula.
Our private Facebook group, You Are Not Done Sparkling Yet (https://www.facebook.com/groups/309886354511956) is available to give you a place to get some enc...2022-03-0331 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 9: Celebrate EverythingTalking Points: Boobie Retirement Parties and Menopause Happy Hours, Gigi teaches a toddler to have a cocktail party.
Links:
Here is a very basic overview of the Ideal Life Exercise: https://wordpress.com/page/lilyfieldschallenge.com/637
Check out LiElla Kelly, Death Doula on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on Instagram: @leaving.well.death.doula.
Our private Facebook group, You Are Not Done Sparkling Yet (https://www.facebook.com/groups/309886354511956) is available to give you a place to get some encouragement and support as you navigate the pursuit o...2022-02-2431 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 8: Making Virtue Sexy AgainTalking Points: Virtue and sexy show up in the same sentence. What are the top five regrets of the dying, and how can we avoid them? (Hint: Virtue again.) Lily gets lucid about her own virtue and lack thereof; the essential difference between the French and Americans (it all boils down to silk scarves and baseball caps.)
Links:
The Virtue Quiz can be found here: http://lilyfieldschallenge.com/2021/01/20/the-virtue-game-play-along-at-home
Check out LiElla Kelly, Death Doula on her website, https://leavingwellmt.com or on Instagram: @leaving.well.death.doula.
Our private Facebook g...2022-02-1730 minSing With Your FeetEpisode 7: My Intentional ValentineThis episode is going to be a little different, but...different *can* be good!
Lily wants you to be your own intentional Valentine this year. She hands out handmade Valentines to the people who helped her get her sparkle back and the people who have helped her celebrate finding it again. Plus, she gets a decidedly non-Valentines-y letter from a mysterious stranger.
In this episode:
Until the end of February, Sing With Your Feet listeners get a 15% discount on LEVITAYT stress relief jewelry with promo code LILY15. Visit their website: https://www.levitayt.com/
Discover more mental health and self-love d...2022-02-1028 min