Shows
In Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistWhen Loss Isn't Death: Jenny Filush-Glaze on Validating Every Kind of GriefGrief counselor Jenny Filush-Glaze joins us to discuss the losses that don't come with funerals but hurt just as deeply — from chronic illness to broken relationships. After her own alpha-gal syndrome diagnosis, Jenny brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to conversations about youth grief, permission to feel, and why "at least no one died" is one of the most damaging things we can say.With 15 years in hospice care and current work as a school-based therapist, Jenny shares insights on how children actually grieve versus how adults think they should, why we rank grief (an...
2026-01-2254 min
In Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistPresence Over Perfection in Hard ConversationsWe live in a culture that prizes eloquence and timing - say the right thing at the right moment, or don't say it at all. But Gabrielle Elise Jimenez, author of The Conversation, knows something most people don't: the "perfect" deathbed conversation doesn't exist, and waiting for it might mean never speaking at all. In this tender exchange, Gabby reveals why showing up imperfectly matters more than showing up polished, and how becoming someone's voice when they can no longer speak might be the most profound gift we can offer. We ex...
2025-12-1847 minIn Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistWhy No One Talks About Dementia Caregiver BurnoutIn this National Hospice Month episode, the Second Season's first episode, host Patricia M Sears of Graceful Transitions speaks with Lori Rizzo, a certified end-of-life doula and dementia practitioner from Compassionate Crossings, about the urgent need to reduce stigma around dementia and transform how we support families navigating this journey. With nearly 7 million Americans living with dementia and 12 million providing unpaid care—often quietly and exhausted—Lori shares practical guidance on early conversations, person-centered care approaches, and how communities can step up to support the "circle of care" surrounding someone with dementia. From understanding the import...
2025-11-2055 minIn Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistAngela Shook on How to Plan for Your Pet After You're GoneIn June 2025, we were fortunate to talk with Angela Shook an End-of-Life and Companion Animal Doula.Angela Shook is an end-of-life doula, Hospice volunteer, and instructor for the Doula Programs at the University of Vermont, and offers multiple end-of-life educational workshops and grief support groups.She is a veterinary doula with Pet Well Mobile Vet, where she assists with euthanasia and the end-of-life care and support of companion animals.Angela has received the Animal Hospice Advocate Certificate from the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care (IAAHPC). She is a certified Pet...
2025-10-2657 minIn Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistWhat Really Happens with Medical Aid in DyingMedical aid in dying (MAID) is legal in Vermont—but what does it actually look like? And where do you go if you don't want to die at home?Kasey March, a certified MAID Wayfinder and end-of-life doula with Doula Care for Dying, guides us through the realities of medical aid in dying in Vermont—from the process itself to finding a safe, appropriate location to take the prescribed medicine.This conversation addresses:What MAID actually is (and what it isn't)The role of a MAID doula or WayfinderWhy people travel to Vermont from out...
2025-10-251h 04In Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistThe Hidden Costs of Dying Without a WillIf you die without a will, your estate will go through probate—and your will will become public information. But that's not the scariest part.Without an advance directive, the court can keep you alive and 'comfortable' even if you don't want to be intubated or have limbs removed. Your family can override your unspoken wishes.Angela Ross, an attorney with 31 years of experience and current probate judge in Orleans County, Vermont, shares what most people don't know about estate planning—and what it costs families when they avoid it.In this esse...
2025-10-251h 07In Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistFrancesca Arnoldy on The Secret Ingredients of a Supported DeathWhat if just starting the conversation—the one you've been avoiding—brought you relief instead of dread?Francesca Lynn Arnoldy, death literacy advocate and author of 'The Death Doula's Guide to Living Fully and Dying Prepared,' believes that transforming our relationship with death begins with a single step.In this conversation, we explore:What 'death literacy' actually means and why it mattersThe surprising pleasure of starting difficult conversationsWhat makes a 'good death' (hint: presence, choice, and love)How to support others during grief and lossPractical steps toward living fully while preparing to die well...
2025-10-251h 07
In Conversation with an End-of-Life SpecialistFuneral Poverty: How to Afford a Dignified DeathWhat if you could turn your body into a tree after you die? What if you couldn't afford a traditional funeral—what are your options?Lindsey Warren, green burial specialist, opens our eyes to end-of-life choices most of us don't know exist.Motivated by watching 'funeral poverty' devastate families after sudden deaths, Lindsey is passionate about helping people understand all their options for disposition planning.In this touching conversation with 'aha moments' throughout:What green burial actually is (and what it costs)How your body can nourish a tree or wildflower me...
2025-10-201h 04