Shows
When We Die Talks#19 - Anonymous Calls (Carrying Loss and Finding Meaning)Two anonymous callers, two very different life stories, but a shared thread of grief, reflection, and the search for meaning.In this episode, one caller opens up about a decade marked by intense, sudden losses, including the murder of a close cousin, the death of her fiancé, and a period of time spent living in her car. Through it all, she has wrestled with the big questions of what happens when we die and found a kind of personal faith rooted in kindness, connection, and the love of a small dog named Henry.The second c...2025-06-251h 11
When We Die Talks#18 - Maura McInerney-Rowley (Building Tools to Help Us Face Death)Maura McInerney-Rowley has been part of When We Die Talks from the very beginning, encouraging Zach to turn the project into a podcast long before the first episode was released. In this conversation, she shares how early experiences with illness and loss shaped her, what she learned as a hospice director, and the moment that led her to create Hello Mortal and Death Archetypes.Zach and Maura talk about what it means to live with the reality of death, the importance of sitting with uncertainty, and how curiosity can be a powerful guide. This episode explores why...2025-06-1145 min
When We Die Talks#17 - Anonymous Calls (Grief, Dreams, and the Stories We Carry)In this episode, two anonymous callers share their perspectives on death, loss, and what might come after. While each conversation is distinct, both explore how personal experiences and beliefs shape our understanding of mortality.The first caller reflects on a series of traumatic events, including the sudden death of his mother. He discusses how these losses led to a deeper exploration of Buddhism and grief, culminating in the discovery of a mysterious email—apparently sent by his mother—months after her passing. The second caller, a dream therapist, offers insights from over two decades of working with peop...2025-05-281h 09
When We Die Talks#16 - Elizabeth Fournier (The Green Reaper)This week, I’m talking with Elizabeth Fournier, also known as The Green Reaper. Elizabeth runs a funeral home in Boring, Oregon and is one of the most well-known advocates for green and home-based burial in the country. She’s also the author of The Green Reaper: Memoirs of an Eco-Mortician, which tells the story of how she built a funeral home in a repurposed goat barn and started helping families return to more natural, hands-on ways of saying goodbye.We cover everything from what’s actually involved in a green burial to lesser-known options like human compos...2025-05-1441 min
When We Die Talks#15 - Anonymous Calls (Two Paths from Catholic Roots)In this episode of When We Die Talks, Zach shares two anonymous conversations sparked by one simple question: What do you believe happens when we die? Both callers were raised Catholic, but their paths have taken them in different directions. One has found comfort in the traditional ideas of judgment, heaven, and hell, while the other explores reincarnation, spirit guides, and the role of karma. Along the way, they each reflect on how contemplating death has shaped the way they live.These calls were part of a new project to connect with more voices and perspectives. ...2025-04-301h 07
When We Die Talks#14 - Ute Luppertz (Pet Death Doula)In todays episode, I speak with pet death doula Ute Luppertz about the emotional journey of losing a beloved animal. Made more timely by a recent health scare with my 17-year-old dog Jackson, we discuss how we can prepare for a pet’s death, create meaningful rituals, and navigate the grief that often goes unspoken.Together, they explore:How pets teach us about patience, compassion, and presenceThe importance of rituals and legacy in animal lossWhy grief around pets is often minimized—and how to push backHow children and other animals experience lossWhat Ute believes happens when our...2025-04-1645 min
When We Die Talks#13 - Sara Rian (Grief Poet)In Episode 13, Zach talks with poet and therapist Sara Rian, whose work beautifully captures the complex emotions surrounding grief and loss. Sara openly shares her experience following the suicide of her mom in 2018, discussing how writing poetry became an essential part of her healing process.Throughout the episode, Sara and Zach explore:The profound impact poetry can have in expressing and processing grief.Personal anxieties around death and strategies for coping.How conversations about loss can reduce feelings of isolation and foster connections.Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide and traumatic loss. If...2025-04-0259 min
When We Die Talks#12 - Voicemails (Listener Messages, Part 2)This episode is another all-voicemail edition, featuring deeply personal messages from listeners reflecting on one of life’s biggest questions: What happens when we die?The voicemail has always been a central part of When We Die Talks. It’s a space where people share their beliefs, fears, and hopes about death—whether they find comfort in the unknown, struggle with uncertainty, or see death as a transition to something else.In this episode, voices from different backgrounds offer unique perspectives on mortality. Some explore the possibility of reincarnation, others reflect on the idea o...2025-03-0526 min
When We Die Talks#11 - Chris Ancell (Talking Death with Dad)In this special episode of When We Die Talks, Zach sits down with his father, Chris Ancell, for a conversation that’s both personal and profound. They’ve shared countless discussions over tequila, but this one focuses on something much deeper—the inevitability of death and how each of them approaches it differently.Chris reflects on the deaths that have shaped him, from family members to close friends, and how those experiences have evolved his understanding of mortality. His pragmatic outlook stands in stark contrast to Zach’s deeply personal fears, creating a conversation that’s raw, insightful...2025-02-1939 min
When We Die Talks#10 - Zac Phillips (Growth Through Grief)In this deeply personal episode of When We Die Talks, Zach Ancell sits down with Zac Phillips to discuss the profound and transformative journey of grief. Zac shares his intimate experiences following the loss of his father, including the deeply hands-on process of his father’s burial, the lessons learned from his dad’s beliefs about death, and how these moments shaped Zac's own spiritual perspectives. They explore the often-taboo subject of grief, delving into how to support others through loss, the importance of holding space, and finding purpose amidst life’s upheavals. This conversation also touches on legacy, mascul...2025-02-0550 min
When We Die TalksBONUS: Sarah Carter (Reflection)In this bonus reflection episode, I revisit my conversation with Sarah Carter, exploring themes of gratitude, growth through loss, and how our experiences shape us. Sarah's openness about the profound losses in her life—losing both parents and navigating her husband's loss—offers a unique perspective on finding light even in the darkest moments.I share my thoughts on how Sarah's story resonated with me, including the impact of "lowercase d" deaths, the concept of memories that fade with us, and how not having children changes the way we consider our legacies. Sarah's reflections challenge me to thin...2025-01-2927 min
When We Die Talks#9 - Sarah Carter (Finding Peace After Great Loss)In Episode #9 of When We Die Talks, Sarah Carter joins the conversation to share her journey through profound personal loss. Sarah reflects on losing her mother to cancer at a young age and the unexpected death of her father during the COVID era. These experiences sparked a deep exploration of mortality, spirituality, and what it means to live a meaningful life.Throughout the episode, Sarah and Zach discuss how grief changes over time, the value of spiritual curiosity, and the challenges of processing loss as an only child. Sarah also opens up about moments of connection she...2025-01-2241 min
When We Die TalksBONUS: Don Sires (Reflection)In this reflection episode, I revisit my conversation with Don Sires, who shared his powerful journey living with ALS and his perspective shaped by the Baha’i faith. I highlight some of the key takeaways, like Don’s analogy of life as the "womb of the spiritual world," and how his resilience in the face of immense challenges offers lessons for us all.On a personal note, I share my recent struggles with an eye injury and how it brought up thoughts on aging and mortality. Don also posed some thought-provoking questions about life after death, the exis...2025-01-1522 min
When We Die Talks#8 - Don Sires (Facing ALS and Mortality)In this episode of When We Die Talks, I have an open and honest conversation with Don Sires about his experience with terminal diagnoses, including myelodysplastic syndrome and ALS. Don reflects on the impact these diagnoses have had on his perspective of life, death, and what happens after we die.We discuss his thoughts on how science and religion can coexist in the search for meaning, and how his spiritual beliefs from the Baha'i faith have shaped his understanding of immortality. Don also shares his practical approach to planning for death, explaining how living with an uncertain...2025-01-081h 03
When We Die Talks#7 - Barbara Solomon (Nursing, Death, and Dignity)In this episode, Zach Ancell sits down with Barbara Solomon, a former nurse turned death doula and Death Café facilitator, who brings a wealth of experience and wisdom from her years of working closely with death. Barbara shares how witnessing countless end-of-life moments shaped her understanding of loss and grief, as well as what death can teach us about connection and compassion.From navigating these moments of change to uncovering what death can teach us about connection, Barbara offers a profound look at how we can reframe our understanding of both endings and new beginnings. With candor a...2024-12-1834 min
When We Die Talks#6 - Derek Green (Living with Huntington's)In this episode, Derek Green opens up about his personal journey with death, loss, and his search for meaning. Derek and many members of his family have been affected by Huntington's disease, a rare genetic neurological disorder that has profoundly shaped his understanding of mortality.We discuss how this diagnosis has influenced his perspective on life, as well as his exploration of fear, spirituality, and the concept of acceptance. Derek takes us through his experiences with different belief systems, including Buddhism, and how his quest for understanding has led him to live more fully in the present...2024-12-0436 min
When We Die Talks#5 - Voicemails (Listener Messages, Part 1)In this unique episode of When We Die Talks, a compilation of listener voicemails explores deeply personal and thought-provoking perspectives on what happens when we die. From near-death experiences and the role of faith in facing mortality to reflections on love, energy, and the profound impact of loss, this collection offers a window into the diverse ways people grapple with the mystery of death. The voicemails feature a range of voices—those who have faced death up close, those who work with the dying, and those simply contemplating their own beliefs. Each story weaves together themes of fear, peace, co...2024-11-2724 min
When We Die Talks#4 - Elizabeth Twardy (Losing a Father, Finding Strength)In this episode, Zach Ancell sits down with Elizabeth Twardy, who shares her heartfelt experiences with death and loss, particularly in relation to her father's battle with cancer. Elizabeth recounts the profound moments leading up to his passing, discussing the complexities of grief and the emotional challenges of navigating life after loss.Together, they explore the signs we seek from our loved ones who have passed and the importance of honoring their memory. Elizabeth offers raw and honest reflections on how grief has shaped her understanding of life and relationships, emphasizing the enduring connections we maintain with...2024-11-1336 min
When We Die Talks#3 - Ryan Williams (Buddhist Perspectives on Death)In this episode, Zach Ancell is joined by Ryan, a thoughtful and reflective member of the local Buddhist community, for an insightful conversation about life, death, and the spiritual journey in between. Ryan shares his unique perspective on mortality, drawing from his personal experience transitioning from a Christian upbringing to practicing Buddhism. Together, Zach and Ryan explore how death has become one of Ryan’s greatest teachers, the impact of meditation on understanding life’s impermanence, and the lessons we can learn from contemplating mortality. Their conversation touches on the role of mindfulness in shaping how we live, the natu...2024-10-3050 min
When We Die Talks#2 - Annah Yevelenko (Living with Death in Mind)In this episode, Zach Ancell sits down with his longtime friend, Annah Yevelenko, for a thought-provoking conversation about life, death, and the journey in between. Annah has been a major supporter of the project since its inception, and her insights have shaped much of the project. The two have known each other for over a decade, having originally connected through their work in the photography industry. When Zach launched the voicemail project last year, their friendship deepened as they began exploring topics of mortality and spirituality.Annah's perspective on death is enriched by her certification as a...2024-10-1636 min
When We Die Talks#1 - Zach Ancell (Facing My Fear of Death)Date: October 2, 2024Podcast: When We Die TalksEpisode title and number: EP01 - Zach Ancell (Your Host)Brief summary of episode: In this introductory episode of When We Die Talks, host Zach Ancell opens up about his personal journey with death anxiety and why he created this podcast. Before diving into future interviews, Zach shares his story and what he hopes to discover by exploring life’s biggest question: what happens when we die?Bullet points of key topics + chapter markersWh...2024-10-0213 min
When We Die TalksWhen We Die Talks - Official TrailerDate: September 24, 2024Name of Podcast: When We Die TalksEpisode Title and Number: Official TrailerBrief summary of episode: In this trailer for When We Die Talks, host Zach Ancell shares his personal journey with death anxiety and how it led him to create a space for open conversations about what happens when we die. Get a glimpse of what’s to come as Zach explores beliefs, fears, and stories that help us face life’s biggest question.Support the showCo...2024-09-2501 min